»Die Fledermaus« is considered the ultimate operetta, full of waltzes, polkas, who-with-whom, champagne, mistaken identity, masquerading and fraternisation. How refreshing it is that Gabriel von Eisenstein, eager to have some quick fun with young ladies before he goes to prison, is repaid tit-for-tat by his wife Rosalinde: with her old vocal coach Alfred. Only a tenor could be so audacious! Adele, the maid, has high aspirations, but first she attends the ball as Fräulein Olga in the dress of her gracious lady. And this is how all the lovable characters, who are not too concerned with the truth, converge at the ball of Prince Orlofsky. He is young, rich, bored – so a retaliatory action by Dr. Falke is just what he needs. The latter has a score to settle with Eisenstein: »This is the way the bat takes revenge!« Orlofsky's ball becomes a stage. And in the end they all meet again in prison. Here Herr von Eisenstein learns who his close pal, the Chevalier Chagrin, really is and what the doppelgänger in his dressing gown is all about. Eisenstein's acquittal is celebrated with champagne, because after all, he alone was to blame, was he not?
For children and teenagers from 14 years old