Patti-Polka française, Op. 134 - Josef Strauss

The singer Adelina Patti came to Vienna for the first time with a troupe of her own in February 1863, during a European tour. After early successes in New York at the age of sixteen, she appeared in 1861 with the Covent Garden Opera of London. Her performance caused great excitement, and her prestigious reputation was widely hailed in England. Her début in Vienna was preceded by exceptionally detailed reports regarding her life and voice in the Theater-Zeitung and Zwischen-Akt trade papers, and the public’s expectations were accordingly high when Adelina Patti appeared for the first time on stage at the Carl Theatre on 28th February 1863, performing one of her brilliant rôles, Amina from the opera La sonnambula by Vincenzo Bellini. The performance was attended by the Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph. Josef Strauss did not let pass the opportunity to honour the artist with a dedication composition, and to divert attention to his concerts. As early as 11th March 1863 a notice appeared in the Theater-Zeitung announcing that Haslinger would be publishing, in the next few days, the Patti-Polka composed by Josef Strauss, the dedication of which had already been accepted by the artist. On 15th March 1863 Josef Strauss performed the new composition in the Volksgarten for the first time. It was self-evident that the Patti-Polka received lively applause at the time and had to be performed again and again, but once the artist left Vienna with her troupe, the polka disappeared quickly from the programmes. Adelina Patti subsequently returned to Vienna, on several occasions. By then, nobody remembered the polka hastily written by Josef Strauss. The piano edition of the work, which features a not very flattering portrait of the artist, is a highly-sought-after collector’s item.

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Painting: Adelina Patti
Artist: Franz Xaver Winterhalter
Date: 1863

Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice
Karl Albert Geyer