The Bat

/Die Fledermaus/
a comic opera by Johann Strauss II (in Hungarian)
director: András Almási-Tóth
featuring: Pannon Philharmonic

A real masterpiece of Viennese operetta that everyone must see who wants to indulge themselves in the pure spirit of the genre. ‘This piece finds its way to man’s heart as a Strauss walz does – in a gentle, likeable, melodic and entertaining manner…’ (from the dedication of Zsolt Horváth, director of Pannon Philharmonic)

PLOT
The story focuses on a magnificent mascarade given by a Russian prince, that brings together all the characters in various disguises. But all the events are masterminded by ’The Bat’, Dr. Falke who wants to get revenge on his friend, Eisenstein for having left him in the past to wander in the streets in bat costume after a drunk party.

On the last day of the year, Eisenstein should go to prison for a few days for insulting an official but Falke invites him to go to the ball before the jail. Eisenstein pretends at home to his wife, Rosalinde and the maid, Adele that he is going to prison, but in fact intends to postpone the jail for one day and have fun at the ball. Adele’s secret plan is also to attend to the ball, lying about a sick aunt. After Eisenstein leaves, Rosalinde is visited by her lover, Alfred. When the prison governor arrives to take Eisenstein to jail, finds Alfred instead. In order not to compromise Rosalinde, Alfred agrees to pretend to be Eisenstein and to accompany the officer.

At the ball they all meet each other disguised, unaware of who is who, and having exciting affairs so as to find themselves next morning at the prison where the confusion increases.

The three-act journey from boudoir to ballroom to jail serves as an excellent source of humour, as well as the characters do so, yet also being filled with human emotions.