Die Fledermaus, The Flittermouse or The Bat, sometimes called The Revenge of the Bat) is an operetta composed by Johann Strauss II to a German libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée. On New Year’s Eve, Eisenstein is being forced to go to jail for punching a police officer, however decides to evade jail for one night so that he can go to Prince Orlofsky’s lavish party. Eisenstein wants to go with his friend Falke, so he tells his wife, Rosalinde, that he is heading off to jail. Meanwhile, Rosalinde knows that Eisenstein is lying, and follows him, in disguise as a Hungarian countess to the ball. Adele, their maid, also feigns an excuse to be released from work that night so that she can also go to the ball, disguised as a Russian actress named, Olga. After many mistaken identities, Eisenstein attempts to seduce his own wife without knowing. Much frivolity, and many festivities behind them, the great farce ends up with a happy ending for all.
Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica
Suor Angelica (or Sister Angelica) and Gianni Schicchi (pronounced “Johnny Skeekee”) are two of the three one-act operas featured in Puccini’s “Il Trittico” (The Triptych).
Marriage of Figaro
Le Nozze di Figaro is a fantastic farce, continuing the story of the characters from Il barbiere di Seviglia. The once young and romantic couple, Rosina and Count Almaviva, are now established in their estate near Seville, but their marriage is in a rocky state. Count Almaviva has now become an aggressive, manipulative womanizer, and Rosina, now the Countess, has become despondent and upset about the state of their relationship. Figaro is now employed as Count Almaviva’s personal butler, but the Count is actively pursuing Figaro’s fiancee, Susanna. The Count keeps putting off the wedding, finding ways to delay their union, even on the day of their planned wedding. Figaro, Susanna, and the Countess create a plan to expose the Count and his womanizing ways, hoping to shame him into change. The Count, however, continues to try to break up the marriage by trying to get Figaro to marry an older woman at court, who turns out to be his mother. Figaro, Susanna, and the Countess succeed in their plot, and the Count asks forgiveness of his wife and Figaro and Susanna plan to finally be wed.