Die Göttin der Vernunft

Die Göttin der Vernunft (The Goddess of Reason) was the last completed operetta of Johann Strauss II.

However, as the composer gradually received the text of the libretto over the ensuing months, he began to dislike the scenario, which made light of the violence of the French Revolution.

He tried to discontinue his work, but this would have made him liable to an action for breach of contract from the librettists, and he therefore reluctantly carried on, with Willner writing to him "On the day after the première, you will see how wrong you have been."

[2] The reception of the work by audience and press was not unfavourable, although one newspaper asked "can one disguise a blood-red guillotine with flowers?"

In 1909, ten years after the composer's death, the music was adapted to an entirely new libretto and presented as Reiche Mädchen (Rich Girls).

[3] The conductor Christian Pollack recreated Strauss's original version from manuscripts in the Austrian National Library and in 2009 staged the first revival of the opera since its première in Žilina, Slovakia.

By accident Furieux discovers that Jacquelin is the sought-after caricaturist and that the 'Goddess' is an aristocrat, and he accuses Robert (who in reality is a marquis) of treason.