The Bat, Johann Strauss Jr.

The Bat is one of the most unsurpassed creations of not only the author, Johann Strauss Jr., but one of the most amazing operettas. According to unconfirmed rumors, Jean Offenbach prompted Strauss to write operettas. One day, while talking with the composer Offenbach accidentally remarked: “Why do you, dear Strauss, stop writing waltzes and start writing operettas?” They claim that Strauss liked the idea very much, and now we can enjoy the magnificent operettas written by the composer. The story of the creation of the operetta “The Bat” confirms that the path from the script to the play is sometimes difficult.

The operetta’s plot was based on the play Revelon (Eve Ball, or Clock with a Fight), the authors of which were famous playwrights Melyak and Halevi, who also wrote the script Carmen, a famous opera by Georges Bizet. Strauss really liked the script, so he wrote the operetta with great enthusiasm. And although he worked mainly at night, he finished it in record time – in 6 weeks or in 42 nights !! Continue reading →