fledermaus dialogue score insert version

of 30

ACT ONE Dialogue A (over #1. Introduction)

ALFRED (offstage)

Turtle dove who flew aloft, calm my pain enraptured,

ADELE An opera singer!

ALFRED (offstage)

Turtle dove I kissed so oft, let thyself be captured…

ADELE And serenading me! Naughty boy!

ALFRED (offstage)

Dearest, sweetest turtle dove, come let nothing hinder. Full of ardor is my love, darling Rosalinda…Full of ardor is my love…

ADELE

Darling who?

ALFRED (offstage) Darling Rosalinda.

ADELE

Darling Rosalinda? He's serenading my lady! Clear off or I'll call the police!

of 30

ACT ONE • Dialogue B (after #1, before # 1a Duet)

ROSALINDA

(entering and noticing Adele sobbing) What is it, Adele?

ADELE (overly dramatic) My poor old aunt is ill!

ROSALINDA

Well, I'll keep her in my prayers. Now please take these to my room…

ADELE (more dramatically, interrupting Rosalinda) Her doctor says it's very, very serious! (more sobbing)

May I have the night off?

ROSALINDA Impossible.

ADELE

I beg you, my lady, let me go visit my poor aunt before she dies!

ROSALINDA And what is the matter with her this time?

ADELE She has a terminal case of…. the measles.

ROSALINDA

The measles…again?

ADELE Please, I beg you!

ROSALINDA:

Absolutely not. Have you forgotten that my husband begins his five-day prison term this evening? It’s been postponed three times already so he simply must go tonight. So I need you to stay with me at the

house.

of 30

ACT ONE • Dialogue C (after #1a Duet)

(Alfred note"operatic utterings" here are suggestions, other options entertained!)

ALFRED (offstage)

Turtle dove who flew aloft, calm my pain enraptured,

ROSALINDE My goodness…that voice…

ALFRED (offstage)

Turtle dove I kissed so oft, let thyself be captured…

ROSALINDE It's Alfred! Has he gone mad?

ALFRED (offstage)

Dearest, sweetest turtle dove, come let nothing hinder. Full of ardor is my love, darling Rosalinda…

ROSALINDA

I shall not fall for his tricks.

ALFRED (entering) Full of ardor is my love, darling Rosalinda.

Cara, finalmente mia!

ROSALINDA Sir, stay right over there. I am a married woman.

ALFRED

But I’m not.

ROSALINDA What if my husband comes home!

ALFRED

He won’t. Everyone knows he is due in jail tonight. (tries to kiss ROS).

ROSALINDA I beg you, please leave!

ALFRED

No, non posso!! (TBD singing, something dramatic "Ridi pagliaccio"?)

ROSALINDA Alfred, be quiet, I beg you!

of 30

ALFRED Fine, I’ll leave, but on one condition - once your husband is safely locked up, swear to me you’ll

welcome me back with open arms.

ROSALINDA I can't.

ALFRED

Then I’m staying right here until you change your mind. (singing TBD, something showy)

ROSALINDA Fine then…you may come back once my husband is gone. But please leave now! (tries to push AL out of

the house and sees EISENSTEIN in distance) Oh no, my husband! You have to hide!

ALFRED Until later, bambina (singing TBD, something romantic)

ROSALINDA

Go! (ROS pushes AL into another room)

EISENSTEIN (entering with Blind) Of all the lawyers in Vienna, I had to choose you!

of 30

ACT ONE • Dialogue D (after #2 Trio, before # 3 Duet)

EISENSTEIN

Get out! (pushes BLIND out of house). Useless lawyers. He managed to extend my sentence to eight days! There ought to be a prison for idiots like him (rings bell for Adele)

ROSALINDA

My darling Gabriel. Eight days in jail! And you really have to report tonight?

EISENSTEIN Dear, I have no option.

ADELE

(Sniffling and wiping fake tears from her eyes) You rang, sir?

EISENSTEIN Why are you crying?

ADELE

My poor old aunt is close to dying.

EISENSTEIN I thought she died last week!

ADELE

Oh…that was just a close call.

ROSALINDA Enough already, Adele.

EISENSTEIN

(to Adele) Please fix me some dinner.

ADELE What would you like sir?

EISENSTEIN

Use your imagination. Something fit for a prisoner’s last meal.

ADELE (Noticing Falke entering as she exits) Dr. Falke is here.

FALKE

(jokingly to Rosalinda) Congratulations on getting rid of your overbearing husband for the next eight days. Here's some Sacher Torte for your efforts (hands Rosalinde a box)

(jokingly to Eisenstein) And congratulations to you too, my friend, for getting three days added to your sentence. That took real talent!

of 30

ROSALINDA Don’t tease him, Falke. Try to cheer up our convict a little, and I’ll see that everything is in order for

tonight. (leaves room)

FALKE (after ensuring ROS is out of sight) Gabriel, my boy, I have something that’s going to cheer you right

up. I came to invite you to a magnificent party tonight.

EISENSTEIN Are you insane? I have to report to jail in an hour.

FALKE

You can go in the morning. But tonight, you’re coming with me to a party at the villa of Prince Orlofsky.

EISENSTEIN

The Prince Orlofsky? The mad Russian everyone’s talking about this season? The one whose guests take bubble baths in champagne?

FALKE

Since he is new in town, the Prince asked me to arrange the guest list for his party tonight. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one.

EISENSTEIN

Oh, It’s so deliciously tempting, but too risky.

FALKE Don’t be silly. No one will ever find out. Besides, the Prince begged me to invite only the most

intelligent, attractive, charismatic and fascinating people. And that means YOU.

EISENSTEIN (flattered) Well, that’s true.

FALKE

And I can always count on you to spice up the evening with your hilarious practical jokes.

EISENSTEIN (amused) Why, you certainly hold a grudge, Falke – or shall I call you Mr. “Bat”?

FALKE

Only if I can call you Mr. “Butterfly.” (both laugh at the memory) You certainly made a fool of me that time.

EISENSTEIN

Was that three years ago already?

FALKE Yes, at our fraternity’s masquerade ball!

of 30

EISENSTEIN I was a Butterfly!

FALKE

And I was a Bat!

EISENSTEIN You were so drunk you couldn’t see straight

FALKE

And you had to take me home.

EISENSTEIN Only you never got there because…

FALKE

You dumped me on a park bench…

EISENSTEIN And you woke up the next morning surrounded by all the Sunday promenades in just your bat wings,

mask and not much else…

FALKE And had to walk all the way home dressed that way. (both still laughing)

EISENSTEIN

I’ll never forget it! You know, if I went to the ball tonight, it would be just like old times.

FALKE Do you still have that exquisite antique gold pocket watch? You practically hypnotize the girls with that

trinket.

EISENSTEIN Oh, yes. The young ladies can’t resist something shiny and expensive!

FALKE

You promise it to all of them—

EISENSTEIN And give it to none. That’s the secret of my success!

FALKE

Then I can count on you

EISENSTEIN Well..

of 30

ACT ONE • Dialogue E (after #3)

ROSALINDA

What on earth is going on here?

FALKE Oh, I was just trying to cheer him up before he serves his sentence. But now I must be on my way. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone to say your fond farewells. Rosalinda, I know how completely devastated you will be, home for the next eight days. Please let me know if I can be of assistance (Falke slips a note

to Rosalinde as he kisses her goodbye)

(EIS walks FALK to door) (Don’t forget, "Marquis Renard" is your name for the party!)

FALKE Au revoir, lovely lady! (to EIS) See you soon Marquis Renard! (exits)

EISENSTEIN

My dear, I should be getting ready (exits)

ROSALINDE (opening Falke's box, finding a mask and reading the note) " Dearest Rosalinda: Wear this mask and come to Prince Orlofsky’s party tonight disguised as Hungarian Countess. You will see your husband "serving his sentence" while dallying with the ladies. Falke". Oh, how I hate men. I should never see

any of them again.

ADELE (entering) Dinner is ready.

ROSALINDA

Thank you, Adele! Mr. Eisenstein will be ready in a few minutes. (Adele starts to go) By the way, I’ve been thinking about that poor aunt of yours. I’ve decided to let you off tonight so you

may visit her.

ADELE You really mean it, my lady? But...just a moment ago you were so strongly against it.

ROSALINDA

I was a bit upset. But my mood has…lifted!

ADELE Because the master is going to jail?

ROSALINDA

(reprimanding Adele) Adele!

ADELE So sorry, my lady.

of 30

ROSALINDA A “thank you” will suffice.

ADELE

Of course, Thank you very much, my lady. From me and my sick, dying aunt.

ROSALINDA Now go. (calling for EIS) Darling! Supper is ready.

(seeing Eisenstein in full party dress, feigning surprise) What are you wearing? Full dress for jail?

EISENSTEIN I want to make a good first impression on my jail mates.

ROSALINDA

Really?

EISENSTEIN Falke says only the best people are going to jail these days. Doctors, lawyers, bankers,

(looks at pocket watch) Oh dear, I’m going to be late for lockdown. I’d better be on my way.

ROSALINDA But you haven’t eaten your supper.

EISENSTEIN

I don’t want to spoil my appetite for jail. (starts to leave)

ROSALINDA Aren’t you even going to kiss me goodbye?

EISENSTEIN

Of course.

of 30

ACT ONE • Dialogue F (after #4)

ADELE

Goodbye, my lady. I'm on my way!

ROSALINDA Why so much luggage?

ADELE

Oh, I’m taking a few extra things in case of an emergency.

ROSALINDA Finally, I’m rid of them both.

ALFRED (entering)

(Singing TBD "La donna e mobile"?)

ROSALINDA (still thinking about letter) (That cheating scoundrel!)

ALFRED

Your husband is in jail so let's get cozy.

ROSALINDA (still in her own thoughts) (He thinks he can get away with this!?)

ALFRED

My sweet little cream puff, let me comfort you.

ROSALINDA (I can’t believe he lied to me.)

ALFRED

Let's start with some wine.

ROSALINDA I don’t drink.

ALFRED

Then let's play a little game to get us in the mood. Let’s imagine I am your husband.

ROSALINDA Are you out of your mind?

ALFRED

Not at all. Now, about breakfast tomorrow morning…let’s see…we’ll have coffee, rolls, Russian eggs…

of 30

ROSALINDA Breakfast? Are you trying to create a scandal?

ALFRED

Yes – I mean – no. Darling, I just want you to relax and have a little fun while that bore of a husband is locked up. Let’s drink and sing. Libiamo, libiamo ne lieti calici…

ROSALINDA (suddenly swooning)

No, no! No singing, please!

ALFRED And why not?

ROSALINDA

You know what it does to me!

of 30

ACT ONE • Dialogue G (over #5a/Drinking song)

Dialogue as written on score

of 30

ACT TWO • Dialogue #H (after # 6 Entr'acte and Chorus)

ADELE

Sally! Sally!

SALLY (surprised) Adele? What are you doing here?

ADELE

I got your letter…

SALLY My letter?

ADELE

You wrote I simply had to get the night off, borrow one of my lady’s fancy dresses, and come here for the biggest party of the season!

SALLY

I didn't write it. Somebody must be playing a joke on you. Leave before someone recognizes you!

FALKE (approaching them) Ladies -- how nice to see you, (to ADELE) and congratulations on your new career!

ADELE

New career?

FALKE Why yes, tonight you’re making your debut as the star in a new play - it’s actually more of a farce -

which I’ve written especially for you.

ADELE My debut? I don’t understand.

FALKE

Don’t worry, you’ll soon get the gist. Just follow my lead. Oh, one last thing, your stage name is "Tanya"

SALLY Tanya?

FALKE

(seeing ORLOFSKY & IVAN enter) Looks like act one is just about to begin.

IVAN His Imperial Highness, Prince Alexander, Alexandrovitch, Petrovich, Ivanovsky, Orlofsky!

(ORLOFSKY enters to applause and bows to guests. ORLOFSKY never cracks a smile and seems continually bored by everything and everyone.)

of 30

FALKE (bowing to each other) Ah, your Highness!

ORLOFSKY Herr Falke.

FALKE

I’ve planned an evening that is sure to be the highlight of this year’s social calendar. We have the usual games, champagne and chocolates, dancing girls and so forth. But tonight we’ll also entertain you with

a hilarious little comedy.

ORLOFSKY Comedy bores me. What is the title of the piece?

FALKE

“The Revenge of the Bat.”

ORLOFSKY Well I hope it is as entertaining as you promise, Dear Falke. I have not laughed in ages. How boring to

be so enormously wealthy.

FALKE I promise you, Your Highness, tonight’s entertainment will cost you nothing and will leave you smiling.

Your Highness, may I present Mademoiselle Sally of the ballet?

ORLOFSKY Charming. (seeing ADELE) And who is this enchanting creature?

FALKE

Her sister, Tanya, the rising young actress.

ORLOFSKY Delighted. (kisses her hand)

FALKE

(breaking them up) Your Highness, I see that your guests are enjoying themselves in the gambling room. Wouldn’t you like to join them?

ORLOFSKY

Indeed not! I might win and that would bore me even more. But perhaps you ladies would like to test my luck with the contents of this wallet.

ADELE

Why yes! Thank you, your Highness.

SALLY You’re too generous. (they exit)

of 30

ORLOFSKY Now tell me more about your little play, Falke.

FALKE

For the moment, let me just say that Mademoiselle Tanya is the chambermaid to our play’s hero.

ORLOFSKY I’m bored already.

IVAN

Marquis Renard!

FALKE Ah, there’s our hero now.

EISENSTEIN

There you are. I came as fast as I could. Where are they?

FALKE Who?

EISENSTEIN

Those lovely ladies you promised me.

FALKE They’re soaking in the champagne baths. You can join them later. First, let me present you to our host,

Prince Orlofsky.

ORLOFSKY Marquis Renard, welcome to my palace.

EISENSTEIN

It is an honor, your Highness.

ORLOFSKY Honor me, sir, and join me in a glass of vodka.

EISENSTEIN

It will be a pleasure.

ORLOFSKY And now, let me acquaint you with the rules of my house.

of 30

ACT TWO • Dialogue I (after #7 couplets)

ORLOFSKY

So Falke, what is so special about this hero of yours?

FALKE He’s not actually a Marquis. He’s married and his wife thinks he’s in jail. But don’t worry; she’ll be

here soon, too. I’ve invited her.

ORLOFSKY Very interesting. But I’m still bored.

FALKE

Patience, Your Highness, the fun is just beginning. (breaks away) Marquis, may I present Mademoiselle Tanya, the rising young actress?

EISENSTEIN and ADELE (double take to audience)

My master! Adele!

ORLOFSKY

Marquis, you look as if you’ve seen a ghost.

EISENSTEIN Oh, no – it’s not that – only – the resemblance –

ORLOFSKY Resemblance?

EISENSTEIN

Mademoiselle Tanya, how long have you been an actress?

ADELE About as long as you’ve been a marquis!

EISENSTEIN

Funny, you look just like my chambermaid.

ADELE Your chambermaid! I’m insulted.

FALKE

Ladies! Gentlemen!

of 30

ACT TWO • Dialogue J (after #8 Ensemble and couplets)

EISENSTEIN

My humblest apologies, Miss Tanya! There never was an actress like you!

ADELE Nor a marquis like you!

IVAN

Chevalier Chagrin!

FALKE (secretly to ORLOFSKY) The Chevalier is another character in my little comedy. He’s actually the

Prison Warden, Frank.

ORLOFSKY Hmmm. This is getting mildly interesting.

FALKE (calling to CHEV - aka FRANK)

Chevalier, so happy you could make it. May I present our host, Prince Orlofsky?

FRANK Your Highness.

ORLOFSKY

Enchante, Chevalier. Have you met Marquis Renard? He’s also a Frenchman. I’m sure it will be a great relief chatting with someone in your native language.

EISENSTEIN

Oui, of course, but we don’t wish to be impolite.

ORLOFSKY Pas de tout, all my guests are multilingual.

EISENSTEIN

Merci, Prince. (EIS doesn’t know French and struggles to start conversation) Chevalier – sa-voir faire?

FRANK

Croix de guerre?

EISENSTEIN Courage –

FRANK

Bon voyage –

of 30

EISENSTEIN Ah, oui!

FRANK Paris!

EISENSTEIN

Amour!

FRANK Toujours!

EISENSTEIN

La bonne chance!

FRANK and EISENSTEIN Vive la France!

FALKE

Now, friends, I must ask for your complete discretion and cooperation. The Prince is expecting an important guest, a Hungarian countess.

EISENSTEIN

Really? Is she pretty?

FALKE She is glorious. But due to certain political concerns I am not at liberty to share, she can only attend

tonight’s festivities incognito. She’ll arrive masked. Can I count on your complete discretion?

FRANK and EISENSTEIN Of course.

FALKE

And now, may I propose a promenade in the garden until supper is served?

FRANK A superb idea! Come, Marquis.

EISENSTEIN

Yes, Chevalier. I see some young blossoms ripe for picking.

IVAN Countess Hunyani!

FALKE

(secretly to Orlofsky) That's Eisenstein’s wife.

ORLOFSKY Countess, welcome to my humble place.

of 30

ROSALINDA Thank you, your Highness.

ORLOFSKY

Doctor Falke tells me you are from Hungary?

ROSALINDA That is correct, Prince.

ORLOFSKY

Wonderful to meet you. Please make yourself at home. I shall leave you in Doctor Falke’s capable hands for the evening.

ROSALINDA

Is it really true what you wrote in your letter?

FALKE I’m afraid so, dear lady. Witness how your husband serves his prison sentence, helping young buds

bloom out in the garden.

ROSALINDA I can’t believe it! My husband with all those girls! And that one looks exactly like my chambermaid!

FALKE

It is your chambermaid – Adele.

ROSALINDA Dying aunt! Indeed! Wait ‘til I get my hands on her.

FALKE

Patience, my lady. You’ll get your chance. Careful now, she’s coming back! (enter ADELE) Countess, may I present Mademoiselle Tanya, the rising young actress?

ROSALINDA

An actress? Have I seen you on the stage?

ADELE Until now I’ve only played maid’s parts.

ROSALINDA

Oh, vat a lovely, lovely gown you’re vearing.

ADELE You like it? Just an old rag I picked up. (leaves)

ROSALINDA

That’s my dress!

of 30

FALKE Careful, your husband’s coming back!

EISENSTEIN

(enters w/ several ladies in arm) Don’t crowd, ladies! There’s plenty of me to go around. (seeing ROS in disguise) Madame, May I take the liberty of presenting myself. I’m Marquis Renard.

ROSALINDA

And I am the Countess Hunyani!

EISENSTEIN You are even more ravishing than Doctor Falke described.

ROSALINDA

You are too generous, Marquis. Ah, vat a charrmingg vatch! Vere does one buy such charrmingg vatches? I vould love to have one like it. Tell me, Marrquis, are you married?

EISENSTEIN Heavens, no!

ROSALINDA

Oh, vat a shame. You know, Marquis, your vatch is just adorable.

EISENSTEIN I might present you with it, if you will unmask for me.

ROSALINDA

I can’t, Marquis, my husband doesn’t know I’m here!

EISENSTEIN The devil with your husband!

of 30

ACT TWO • Dialogue K (after #9 Duet)

ADELE

That’s the mysterious countess I was telling you about!

SALLY Why is she masked?

ADELE

I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. (Gets guest’s attention) Friends, how about a round of applause for our splendid host, Prince Orlofsky! And may I also introduce his guest of honor, the lovely Countess Hunyani. Now, Countess, we’re all friends here. Why not unmask and let us admire your true

beauty!

ALL Yes, please!

ORLOFSKY

My friends! In this house, a lady has the right to cover or uncover as much as she likes.

ADELE Then how do we know she’s really a Hungarian countess

FALKE

I assure you, the countess is authentic.

SALLY Can she prove it?

ROSALINDA

I will sing a song from my homeland to prove it! Csàrdàs!

of 30

ACT TWO • Dialogue L (after #10 Csardas)

EISENSTEIN

Brava, countess!

ORLOFSKY And now, my friends, I propose a toast to our lovely Hungarian guest!

FALKE

A toast to her wonderful music!

EISENSTEIN A toast to the life of our party – to King Champagne!

of 30

ACT THREE • Dialogue M (after Entr’acte p. 131)

ALFRED

(offstage – loudly singing "Turtle dove who flew aloft….")

FROSCH Stop with that racket already (Alfred cuts off only to re-start again)

Quiet!!! (Alfred cuts off again) Finally, some peace. That calls for a drink! (drinks entire flask from pocket)

ALFRED

(offstage – loudly singing “Vincerò, vince…” or some other popular opera tune)

FROSCH Shut up! (Alfred cuts off). Thank you. What’s with that opera stuff, anyway? So loud. So high. It’s

not even in English!

of 30

ACT THREE • Dialogue N (after #13 Melodrama)

FRANK

Anything new to report, Frosch?

FROSCH No. 12 is asking for a lawyer.

FRANK

No. 12? That’s Eisenstein, isn’t it? He’s entitled to a lawyer.

FROSCH I already sent for Mr. Blind - to keep him quiet.

There are two ladies at the door. They say they want to see a Mr. Chandelier Chagrin. One calls herself "Mademoiselle Tanya"

FRANK

Mademoiselle Tanya! Of course, let her in. (Frosch exits. Frank straightening up to make himself presentable)

ADELE

(entering w/ Sally) There you are, my dear…

SALLY You disappeared.

FRANK

What are you ladies doing here?

SALLY Have you forgotten all your promises?

FRANK

Promises? What did I say?

ADELE You said we should come and live with you.

FRANK

Now, ladies, only criminals come here.

ADELE Mr. Chagrin, always teasing. (flirting) I am a criminal, and I came here to confess. You see, I’m not

what I appear to be.

SALLY What my sister means is that she isn’t an actress.

of 30

ADELE What I’m trying to tell you is – I am a chambermaid. But I’ve decided to let myself be developed… for

the theater.

FRANK A very natural development. But have you any talent?

ADELE

Have I any talent? Just let me show you.

of 30

ACT THREE • Dialogue O (after #14 Couplets)

FRANK

(bell rings) Who can that be at this hour of the morning?

FROSCH Maybe it’s the police!

FRANK

(to FROSCH) We’re the police, Frosch! (to LADIES) Take these ladies to cell number 13.

FROSCH This way, ladies. (bell rings again)

FRANK

All right, all right!

EISENSTEIN (has let himself in and barges into room) Chevalier! What are you doing at the jail?

FRANK

It’s a long story, but it so happens that I’m the warden of this prison.

EISENSTEIN Well, in that case, you can stop calling me “Marquis.” I’m not a marquis. My name is Eisenstein, and

I’ve come to serve my eight-day prison term.

FRANK That’s very interesting considering I personally arrested Eisenstein last night.

EISENSTEIN

Really? He was at home then?

FRANK At home? He was sitting in his fancy dressing gown having supper with his wife.

EISENSTEIN

Someone was in my dressing gown with my wife?

FRANK No, he was in his dressing gown with his wife.

EISENSTEIN

But his wife is my wife.

FRANK His wife is his wife!

of 30

EISENSTEIN Then he must have two wives!

FRANK

I have no idea what you’re talking about. But I can tell you it was positively touching the way they kissed each other

EISENSTEIN

I must see this Eisenstein immediately.

FRANK I am terribly sorry, but no one is allowed to visit prisoners without a permit.

FROSCH

(entering) There’s another lady at the door.

FRANK Another lady? All right, take her to the waiting room.

FROSCH

It’s a full house tonight.

FRANK (to EIS) Excuse me. (exits)

FROSCH

Oh, I forgot Mr. Blind! (exits)

EISENSTEIN (alone) So, there are two of us. And my alter ego had supper with my wife.

FROSCH

(entering w/ BLIND) Please wait right here, sir. (exits)

EISENSTEIN What are you doing here, you justice-perverting maggot?

BLIND

(stuttering) How dare you talk to me like that! You sent for me!

EISENSTEIN I sent for you?

BLIND

(stuttering)The messenger told me you needed me urgently.

EISENSTEIN Wait a minute. Give me your hat. And your briefcase… And your robe (cape)… And your

spectacles…And your beard.

of 30

FROSCH

(enters w/ ROS) Right this way, Brünnhilde.

ALFRED I have a complaint. Being falsely arrested - I don’t mind that so much. Keeping me out of the second act - That’s bad enough. But how dare you keep me all night in that drafty cell – If anything happens to my

glorious voice, I’ll hold you personally responsible.

ROSALINDA O Alfred, Alfred!

ALFRED

Heaven, can it be? I’m not deserted after all!

ROSALINDA We have no time for that now. You must leave this place at once. My husband will be here any minute.

EISENSTEIN

(aside) Rosalinda!? It’s true! (coughs and clears throat and imitates BLIND's stutter). I mean, what can I do for you Madame? And

Sir? (aside) Guilty as charged, and now to set the trap!

of 30

ACT THREE • Dialogue P (after #15 Trio)

ROSALINDA

You dare reproach me? You speak of infidelity, when I – (producing EIS’s pocket watch) know exactly what time it is?

EISENSTEIN

Good Lord, my watch!

ROSALINDA (in accent) Vould you like to count my heartbeats, “Marquis?”

EISENSTEIN

I’m such a fool.

ALFRED Yes, you are.

EISENSTEIN

You keep quiet. It so happens that you are wearing my dressing gown!

ALFRED Not flattering in the least. Makes me look fat.

EISENSTEIN

I demand satisfaction, you wife stealer!

ALFRED Satisfaction? And so do I! Be so kind as to go up to cell No. 12 and finish up your term. You already

owe me one night.

EISENSTEIN Why? I’m not Eisenstein. And you can’t prove that I am.

ALFRED

Warden, warden! We need witnesses who can identify him.

FRANK Frosch! Get those two girls in No. 13 and bring them here.

FROSCH

But, I was just about to give them their bath, warden.

FRANK Now!

ROSALINDA

I can identify him!

of 30

EISENSTEIN A wife can’t testify against her husband.

ADELE (entering with SALLY)

Warden indeed. A prison! You told us this was a palace! How could you do this to us?

FRANK Ladies, it was all a ghastly mistake. I beg you to forgive me. Do you recognize this gentleman here?

ADELE

Why, of course. This is Mr. Von Eisenstein. And this is his wife, my ex-mistress.

ROSALINDA And you take off my dress!

FROSCH

I can help you with that.

(Chaos erupts and everyone starts arguing. ORLOF and FALKE enter followed by all the party guests. One by one the arguing characters notice the prince and all bow/curtsy in respect. They hold

bow/curtsy through following exchange)

ORLOFSKY Well, Falke, what is this all about? Why did you bring all of us here?

FALKE

Because I want you to see the end of our little play!

ORLOFSKY You mean that you’re going to end it in jail? (looks around at everyone and starts laughing)

Now that’s funny!

All laugh, including party revelers

fledermaus dialogue score insert version

Documents