Die Fledermaus

Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus is one of the few operatic works to which the phrase “never a dull moment” can be truthfully applied. From the explosive opening of the famous overture, reminiscent of a volley of champagne corks, through the surging energy of the “Fledermaus Waltz” and the many comic numbers, up to such huge concerted numbers as the “Duidu” finale to act II, this is an operetta which almost incarnates nostalgia. Thomson Smillie and David Timson infuse their exploration of Die Fledermaus with as much life as the operetta itself, showcasing the most rewarding and memorable extracts.