Details

An operatic divertissement to be performed in an abridged version of Moliere's comedy Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. Both pignant and comic, Ariadne auf Naxos is an opera within an opera. The curtain opens on a Viennese salon where preparations are being made for a performance of an opera. There is consternation when the Major Domo (Chied Butler) announces that due to time pressure, a harlequin troupe will be performing comedy during the opera itself. The conflicting scenarios and contrasting characters reveal what happens when stand-up comedy meets Greek tragedy and music hall meets high art.

Cast/Performers

Natalya Romaniw (Ariadne), Young Woo Kim (Bacchus), Jennifer France (Zerbinetta), Polly Leech (The composer), William Dazeley (His music master), John Graham-Hall (The dancing master), Innocent Masuku (Brighella), Ossian Huskinson (Truffaldino), Richard Pinkstone (Scaramuccio), Claire Lees (Naiad), Sian Griffiths (Dryad), Harriet Eyley (Echo), Graham Clark (The Major-Domo), Marcus Farnsworth (Harlequin)

Creatives/Company

Music: Strauss
Lyrics: Hofmannsthal
Company(s): Garsington Opera, Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductor: Mark Wigglesworth
Director: Bruno Ravella
Design: Giles Cadle
Lighting: Malcolm Rippeth