The 1974 Strauss Complete-Edition music text of the operetta “The Bat”, based on all the relevant historical sources, clears away as such some of the massive errors of earlier editions. The result is a strikingly purified, airy, almost understated Strauss. The performance material is a must for all orchestras wanting to produce from an authentically edited score what is probably the most frequently performed operetta overture ever. The fact that the introductory orchestral piece has a French title is in keeping with Strauss' terminology and is consistent with other genre designations in his operettas (couplet, entreact).

Overture to the Operetta – Urtext of the Johann Strauß Complete Edition edited by Fritz Racek