Expect mistaken identity and party secrets, plus a glorious concoction of champagne and fun, sparkling music and fantastic Strauss waltzes.
Will the Bat be revenged?
Sung in English with orchestra. Music by Johann Strauss II, translation by Christopher Hassall, published by Weinberger.
In 2026 York Opera will be celebrating both their 60th anniversary, and also marking 40 years since their first appearance at York Theatre Royal. From Orpheus in the Underworld in 1968, through 1986’s Turandot to their most recent triumph with The Tales of Hoffmann, the group continues to bring the highest quality opera to the stage.
Lavish party host, Prince Orlofsky, seeks fresh amusement at his New Year’s Eve party. What better place for disguises, deception and revenge served with chilled champagne! Doctor Falke, had previously been humiliated by his old friend Herr Eisenstein who persuaded him to dress for a party as a bat (Die Fledermaus), after much amusement and ridicule, he was eventually abandoned to wander the streets of Vienna. Falke plots his revenge with a cocktail of hidden secrets, mistaken identities and a splash or two of champagne that leads to a comedy of errors that soon takes flight. Will the bat be revenged?
Accept your invitation for a night of laughter, bubbles and chaos as York Opera waltz you away to a glittering party of Strauss’ glorious music.
-
York Opera presents Die Fledermaus
Music by Johann Strauss
English version by CHRISTOPHER HASSALL (lyrics) and EDMUND TRACEY (dialogue)
Original libretto by H. MEILHAC and L. HALEVY
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International on behalf of Josef Weinberger Ltd. www.mtishows.co.uk
Total Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes
-
ACT I
Eisenstein's house
Alfred is outside, serenading Rosalinde. Adele has been invited to a ball by her sister Ida, a singer, but when she asks her mistress for the night off to visit a sick aunt, Rosalinde, who has heard the excuse before, is unsympathetic, particularly as her husband has to go to jail that night for insulting a policeman. After serenading Rosalinde outside the window, Alfred comes in to press his suit, but Rosalinde reminds him that she is married, though she is touched by his reminder that they had been in love when students at the conservatorium. Learning that Eisenstein will be in jail for five nights, he promises to return later.
Eisenstein comes home with his lawyer, Dr Blind, whose inefficiency has increased his sentence. He asks Rosalinde to dig out some old clothes, so he will not look out of place in jail.
Dr Falke arrives, ostensibly to commiserate with Eisenstein, but actually to invite him (unknown to Rosalinde) to a grand ball that night to be given by the young and wealthy Prince Orlofsky, convincing him that he will be able to go incognito and then report to the jail first thing in the morning.
Rosalinde tells Adele that she may have the evening off and Eisenstein goes off to change his clothes - into full evening dress. Rosalinde, Adele and Eisenstein all rejoice in the prospect of the evening's planned diversions. When the others have gone, Rosalinde receives an invitation to the ball with a new dress and a mask. Alfred returns and makes himself at home with Eisenstein's cap and dressing gown and supper. Colonel Frank arrives to escort his distinguished prisoner to jail in person. He assumes that Alfred is Eisenstein and Rosalinde begs him to go along with this to preserve her reputation. Alfred is led off after taking advantage of the situation to seize a long farewell kiss.
ACT II
Prince Orlofsky's ballroom
Adele discovers that her sister had not sent the invitation, but they decide to make the best of the situation: Adele is to call herself Olga and pretend to be an actress.
Falke promises to entertain Prince Orlofsky, who finds everything a great bore, with a diversion called the Revenge of the Bat. He is seeking revenge on Eisenstein for having left him by a fountain, drunk and in the costume of a bat. When he woke up in the morning he had to make his way home in fancy dress to the amusement of the bystanders. He explains that Adele, the first character in his scenario, is his hero's maid, while Eisenstein, who is announced as the Marquis de Renard, is the central figure.
The prince tells Eisenstein that the only rule of his house is that everyone should do as he pleases; he has been promised a good laugh, at Eisenstein's expense. Catching sight of Adele, Eisenstein is astonished by her resemblance to his wife's chambermaid, but she laughs at him for his "mistake."
The Chevalier Chagrin arrives, Colonel Frank under an assumed name and another of Falke's cast, followed by Rosalinde, masked and calling herself a Hungarian countess, the last of his cast. Eisenstein tries to persuade Rosalinde to unmask, and he tries out his chiming watch, which usually entrances the ladies, but she manages to get it from him. To add conviction to her impersonation, the supposed Hungarian countess sings a czardas. The guests sing a toast to champagne. Eisenstein hurries off to jail, followed by Frank.
ACT III
The jail
Frosch the jailer lurches drunkenly about his business as Alfred bursts into occasional song. When Frank appears, also intoxicated, Frosch tells him that the supposed Eisenstein is demanding his lawyer. Adele and Ida appear, to take up the offer made by Frank to help the supposed Olga's career as an actress. She confesses that she is really a chambermaid, but gives a demonstration of her acting and singing skills. When Eisenstein reports for his sentence, he and Frank are surprised to recognise one another as guests at the ball, but Frank believes he already has Eisenstein in jail. When Dr Blind arrives, Eisenstein borrows his wig and gown. Rosalinde arrives and Alfred is brought from his cell and they try to explain to the supposed lawyer how the mix-up occurred, assuring him that it was quite innocent. Flinging off the wig, Eisenstein launches into a denunciation, which is cut short when Rosalinde produces his watch, as evidence of his philandering. He then tries to pretend that he is not Eisenstein, but Adele identifies him.
Accompanied by Orlofsky and his guests, Falke arrives to explain the plot to Eisenstein. All join in another chorus to champagne.(Copyright © 2025 KernKonzepte)
-
Address
York Theatre Royal
St. Leonard's Place
York
YO1 7HDGetting there
The theatre is approximately 40 minutes drive from Harrogate, 45 minutes from Leeds city centre, 1 hour from Hull and 30 minutes from junction 45 of the A1(M).
There are a number of car parks nearby but space can be limited so please allow enough time to park and walk in. The closest car parks are Bootham Row (YO30 7BP), Marygate (YO30 7DT) and Union Terrace (YO31 7ES).
Alternatively, you may want to use York’s Park & Ride scheme – please visit their website for full details – https://www.itravelyork.info/park-and-ride
Accessibility
The theatre has level entrances to the foyer, with automatic doors and a low counter at Box Office. They have lift access to the Main House, Studio and Dress Circle seating, with accessible toilets on both ground floor and first floor levels.
Wheelchair spaces are available in the Main House Stalls and Dress Circle and in the Studio. Please request a wheelchair space at the time of booking. If you have limited mobility, the Box Office team can advise on the best areas to sit and whether there are any steps to navigate.
The theatre operates a wireless loop system in the Main House to relay sound to customers who are hard of hearing, with Sennheiser headsets available free of charge from Box Office.
Assistance Dogs are welcome in all areas of the theatre and a complimentary dog-sitting service can be arranged – please request this service at the time of booking.
For families the theatre offers baby changing facilities in the accessible toilets, free buggy parking and booster seats for your little ones.
Limited Blue Badge parking is available on Duncombe Place at the rear of the theatre.
The theatre offers concession tickets for patrons with disabilities and half price companion or carer tickets.