DESCRIPTION:
Johann Strauss honoured each of his three wives with the dedication of a dance music composition. Thus, Angelika's name lives on in the dedication of the Kuss-Walzer (op. 400) and Adele's in the Adelen-Walzer (op. 424).

Strauss's first wife was the mezzo-soprano Jetty Treffz (1818-78), whom he married in August 1862. She at once proved herself an indispensable partner for the often disorganised and financially naive 'Waltz King', and aside from her wifely duties also fulfilled those of advisor in artistic and monetary matters, translator, private secretary and even music copyist. It was for Jetty that Johann wrote his charming Bluette, Polka francaise, which he himself conducted on 23 November 1862 at a St. Katherine's Day masked ball in the Redoutensall, the proceeds from which were "for the benefit of the Pension Institute for those involved in the Fine Arts in Vienna".

Photo: Johann Strauss II and his first wife Jetty.