Ariadne auf Naxos, Op. 60, TrV 228a

Composer: Strauss, Richard

Librettist/Text Author: Hofmannsthal, Hugo von

Conductor: Bohm, Karl

Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Ariadne: Janowitz, Gundula

Bacchus: Kollo, Rene

Brighella: Zednik, Heinz

Dyrade: Gall, Axelle

Echo: Miljakovic, Olivera

Harlekin: McDaniel, Barry

Haushofmeister: Kunz, Erich

Komponist: Schmidt, Trudeliese

Musiklehrer: Berry, Walter

Najade: Groote, Hilde de

Scaramuccio: Equiluz, Kurt

Truffaldin: Jungwirth, Manfred

Zerbinetta: Gruberova, Edita

Set Designer: Sanjust, Filippo

Costume Designer: Sanjust, Filippo

Stage Director: Sanjust, Filippo

Television Director: Vernon, John

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Playing Time: 02:07:55

Catalogue Number: A05004554

Synopsis

Ariadne auf Naxos, Op. 60, TrV 228a

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Ariadne auf Naxos was conceived as a one-act opera to be performed as an interlude in an abridged version of Moliere's play Le bourgeois gentilhomme. But due to the hybrid nature of the project, Strauss and his librettist eventually decided to write a musical prologue to replace the play. To fit in with its 18th-century conception and inspiration, Strauss scored the work for a far smaller orchestra than his previous operas. The charm of a mock old-fashioned harlequinade is set beside a virtuoso handling of three types of soprano: coloratura (Zerbinetta), lyric (Composer) and dramatic (Ariadne).

This Vienna State Opera production, featuring Gundula Janowitz, Rene Kollo, Trudeliese Schmidt and Walter Berry with the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Karl Bohm, drew rave reviews. In particular, the young Edita Gruberova as Zerbinetta was heralded as the "event of the evening," whose exquisite phrasing, sublime timbre and brilliant coloratura fireworks served up with witty and charming nonchalance brought her endless and justified ovations. This was clearly her final leap to the top of the world's best vocalists (Vienna's popular daily "Kurier," 22.11.76)