We show that a modular class arises from the existence of two generating operators for a Batalin-Vilkovisky algebra. In particular, for every triangular Lie bialgebroid (A,P) such that its top exterior power is a trivial line bundle, there is a section of the vector bundle A whose $d_P$-cohomology class is well-defined. We give simple proofs of its properties. The modular class of an orientable Poisson manifold is an example. We analyse the relationships between generating operators of the Gerstenhaber...