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. Sung in German with English surtitles

Cast/Performers

Karita Mattila (The Prima Donna / Ariadne), Robert Dean Smith (The Tenor / Bacchus), Jane Archibald (Zerbinetta), Ruxandra Donose (The Composer), Nikolay Borchev (Harlequin), Thomas Allen (Music Master), Norbert Ernst (Dancing Master), Ji-Min Park (Scaramuccio), Paul Schweinester (Brighella), Jeremy White (Truffaldino), Sofia Fomina (Naiad), Karen Cargill (Dryad), Kiandra Howarth (Echo), Samuel Dale Johnson (Wig Maker), James Platt (Lackey), Nicholas Ransley (Officer), Christoph Quest (Major Domo), Sergey Levitin (Concert Master)

Creatives/Company

Music: Strauss
Lyrics: Hofmannsthal
Producer: Royal Opera House
Conductor: Lothar Koenigs
Director: Christof Loy
Design: Herbert Murauer
Lighting: Jennifer Tipton
Choreographer: Beate Vollack
Company: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House