Operas -
Die Fledermuas or "Revenge of the Bat"
By Johann Strauss, Jr.
Setting: Vienna, late 19th Century
Act I: Gabriel von Eisenstein's apartment, late afternoon
From the street below, Alfred, the opera singer, serenades old flame,  Rosalinda, now Mrs. von Eisenstein, the banker's wife. Hearing no response, he climbs up and sees her room is empty. He exits quickly as the maid, Adele, enters reading a letter from her sister, Sally, a ballet dancer, who suggests they attend Prince Orlofsky's party this evening. Adele is excited, but worries that her employer won't give her the night off. She hears Alfred singing in the street and is shocked to discover that he is serenading Mrs. von Eisenstein. She calls for Rosalinda, who enters and spies Alfred. Rosalinda fondly recalls her days at the conservatory when she and Alfred sang opera together and what a romantic he was. As Rosalinda swoons over Alfred's singing, Adele requests the night off saying her aunt is ill. Rosalinda refuses the request reminding her that Mr. von Eisenstein begins a five-day jail sentence tonight for assaulting a man in a restaurant. As Adele leaves to answer the door, Alfred ascends to the window and appears beside Rosalinda. He tries to embrace her, but she reminds him she is married and begs him to leave. He has heard the rumors that Eisenstein must go to jail and agrees to leave if Rosalinda will allow him to return when her husband is in jail. Rosalinda agrees to meet him later, but before he can leave, Eisenstein and his lawyer, Dr Blind, enter and Rosalinda quickly hides Alfred in the next room.
The banker is furious at his stuttering lawyer since Blind's defense has resulted in Eisenstein's jail sentence being extended to eight days. Rosalinda tries to calm them, but Eisenstein orders Blind to leave. Blind goes only to appear moments later trying to defend himself. During the commotion, Alfred sneaks through the window and escapes. Eisenstein orders Blind out the second time and Rosalinda tries to calm her husband who rings for Adele to order dinner.
 The bell rings announcing Dr. Falke, Eisenstein's old friend, who has come to cheer up the convict before his jail term begins and invite him instead to Orlofsky's party. Eisenstein protests that he must appear at the jail, but Falke has arranged everything so that he can go early the next morning instead. Falke reminds Eisenstein that he is the life of the party and must attend. They reminisce about Eisenstein's love of pulling practical jokes on his friends. Eisenstein recalls the costume ball when he was a butterfly and Falke was a bat. After quite a few drinks, Eisenstein agreed to help Falke get home, but instead he left his inebriated friend on a public park bench to sleep it off still in costume. When Falke woke he was a public laughingstock making his way home in his bat costume. He has never forgotten. Laughing together, they agree to meet at the party. Eisenstein will be disguised as Marquis Renard. Falke says farewell and Eisenstein runs to dress for the party.
As Adele serves supper, Rosalinda decides to give her the night off after all. Eisenstein enters dressed in formal attire asserting that he has to make the right impression in jail. Declining dinner, he sadly kisses Rosalinda and departs as Adele enters with her suitcase and exits also. Before leaving, she informs Rosalinda of the arrival of a package. Opening the box, Rosalinda finds a mask, a wig, and a note from Falke urging her to come to Orlofsky's party disguised as a Hungarian countess. Falke adds that she will catch her errant husband there as well, partying with dancing girls instead of serving his prison sentence.
Rosalinda is furious, but is consoled by Alfred who bounds through the door and begins to drink Eisenstein's good wine. Rosalinda decides that Alfred can escort her to Orlofsky's party, and sends him to dress in Eisenstein's clothes. Alfred, having other ideas, returns in Eisenstein's robe and slippers instead. Rosalinda is enticed to drink wine and sing duets with Alfred.
 The prison warden, Frank, arrives with the police to escort Eisenstein to jail. Seeing Alfred in the robe, he assumes that it is Eisenstein and demands that they leave immediately. Somewhat tipsy, Alfred protests that he is not Eisenstein, but when Frank bids him kiss Rosalinda goodbye, he gladly assumes the husband's role. Frank says they must go as he is expected at a party later. Rosalinda secretly begs Alfred to go along with the pretence for her sake and, after a few more drinks and kisses, he agrees to accompany the police to jail.
Act II: Prince Orlofsky's party, that night
Orlofsky's party is in full swing as Sally and Adele arrive. They are greeted by Falke, who asks Adele to play the part of Tanya, the actress. Orlofsky appears, very rich and very bored, and invites everyone to enjoy themselves and do whatever they like. Orlofsky asks only that someone make him laugh as he is so bored with life, he cannot laugh. Falke reveals that he has planned the evening's entertainment and included is a brief comedy called "The Revenge of the Bat", the sequel to "The Crime of the Butterfly" which will surely do the trick.
Marquis Renard is announced and Eisenstein in disguise enters to find Falke who introduces him to Orlofsky. The Prince gives him champagne and tells him to enjoy himself. Falke introduces him to the actress Tanya, whom he recognizes instantly as Adele, wearing one of Rosalinda's gowns. When he confronts her, she pretends not to know him, and enjoys a laugh with other guests at his accusation that she is his chambermaid, forcing him to apologize.
Soon Warden Frank enters disguised as Chevalier Chagrin and is introduced to Renard by Falke who suggests that Renard and the Chevalier converse in their native tongue. Since neither man speaks French, they are both terribly embarrassed. Falke sends them to the garden with the ladies to await the entrance of Rosalinda, masked as Falke's Hungarian beauty, who will entertain with a song. Falke points out Eisenstein flirting with all the ladies, and Rosalinda vows to teach him a lesson.
Falke introduces Renard to the Countess, and watches with amusement as Eisenstein begins to flirt shamlessly with his own wife. He begs her to unmask, but she refuses. Eisenstein persists until finally Rosalinda allows him to come close and count the beats of her heart as she slyly steals his watch.
After entertainment from the Prince's Ballet dancers, Rosalinda dazzles the guests with a Hungarian song and receives a toast to her music. Falke leads another toast to love and soon they are all a bit tipsy.
Before Eisenstein can persuade the Countess to unmask, the clock strikes six and he realizes he must get to the jail and turn himself in before he is arrested. Both he and the warden rush to leave, not realizing that they will meet soon at the same destination.
Act III: The Town Jail, the next morning
While Alfred serves Eisenstein's sentence, his loud singing drives Frosch, the jailer, to drink. Quite tipsy from Orlofsky's party, Frank arrives and falls into a dreamy stupor. Frosch awakes him, announcing that a Tanya and Sally are outside looking for M. Chagrin. The girls enter and rush to Frank, reminding him of his promise to help their careers.
 Eisenstein appears shortly to serve his sentence and is shocked to find that Frank is the warden. Thinking he already has Eisenstein in jail, Frank assumes Eisenstein is an imposter, recounting how he found the banker at home kissing his wife. Eisenstein is furious and jealous.
Rosalinda arrives to free Alfred who has called Dr. Blind to be his lawyer. An angry Eisenstein chases Blind away, adopting the lawyer's disguise. As Alfred is led in to meet his lawyer, Rosalinda urges him to flee before Eisenstein discovers his presence.
Posing as Blind, Eisenstein jealously tries to trap Alfred and Rosalinda, but is himself trapped as Falke, Orlofsky, and the party guests arrive to expose Eisenstein as Marquis Renard who has been flirting with his own wife among others at the party. Everyone enjoys a good laugh at Eisenstein's expense as 'Countess' Rosalinda produces Eisenstein's watch and Falke reveals it was all an elaborate practical joke. At last Orlofsky laughs and everyone drinks a toast to champagne.
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