Ariadne auf Naxos
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The 2013 Festival opens with a new production of this compelling and intricately crafted collaboration between composer Richard Strauss and writer Hugo von Hofmannsthal. After the enormous success of Der Rosenkavalier, the two men conceived the idea of a light entertainment, a small trifle to amuse and divert the public.
It soon became altogether more complex, subtle and ambitious, ‘something unusual and important’ as von Hofmannsthal put it, with ‘music as enchanting in the memory as anything could be; like fireworks in a beautiful park, one enchanted, all too fleeting, summer night’.
The kernel of the story is a clash between two different types of dramatic performance, as represented by a troupe of comic artists led by the irrepressible Zerbinetta, and the high seriousness of the classical myth of Ariadne; roles sung by Laura Claycomb and Soile Isokoski, both making their Glyndebourne debuts.
In Vladimir Jurowski’s final season as Music Director he will conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra in his first fully-staged Strauss opera, working with the German director Katharina Thoma, making her UK debut.
Listen to our Ariadne auf Naxos podcast
Download this episode (right click and save)
Musical extracts used with kind permission of EMI Classics.
Live broadcast to cinemas and online on 4 June 2013, venues and booking details are on the 'In Cinemas' tab.
A new production for the 2013 Festival
Sung in German with English supertitles
This new production is supported by a Syndicate of Donors led by Hamish and Sophie Forsyth
By kind permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd
Dates & Times - Ariadne auf Naxos
| Date | Coach Departs | Start Time | Interval | Finish Time | Ticket Price Ranges | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 25 May 2013 | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | £100.00 - £205.00 | Book Now | |
| Thursday 30 May 2013 | 4:00pm | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | ||
| Sunday 2 June 2013 | 2:00pm | 4:35pm | 5:30 - 6:50pm | 8:25pm | £100.00 - £205.00 | Book Now |
| Tuesday 4 June 2013 | 4:00pm | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | ||
| Friday 7 June 2013 | 4:00pm | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | £75.00 - £150.00 | Book Now |
| Thursday 13 June 2013 | 4:00pm | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | £165.00 - £205.00 | Book Now |
| Sunday 16 June 2013 | 2:00pm | 4:35pm | 5:30 - 6:50pm | 8:25pm | £150.00 - £250.00 | Book Now |
| Thursday 20 June 2013 | 4:00pm | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | £165.00 - £205.00 | Book Now |
| Sunday 23 June 2013 | 2:00pm | 4:35pm | 5:30 - 6:50pm | 8:25pm | ||
| Friday 28 June 2013 | 4:00pm | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | £165.00 - £205.00 | Book Now |
| Friday 5 July 2013 | 4:00pm | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | £165.00 - £205.00 | Book Now |
| Thursday 11 July 2013 | 4:00pm | 5:50pm | 6:45 - 8:05pm | 9:40pm | £165.00 - £205.00 | Book Now |
Ariadne auf Naxos
Richard Strauss
If you are a cinema venue and are interested in screening our productions please contact screenings@glyndebourne.com
Ariadne auf Naxos will be streamed live online on June 4 2013.
Full details will be posted here in due course.
The Prologue
At a sumptuous home, two theatre troupes are preparing for their performances: a commedia dell’arte group, led by the comedienne Zerbinetta, and an opera company presenting a serious opera, Ariadne auf Naxos. The Major-domo announces that, to save time, both entertainments must be performed simultaneously.
The idealistic young Composer is loath to permit any changes to his opera. But when his teacher, the Music Master, points out that his pay depends on accepting the situation, and when Zerbinetta turns her charms upon him, he complies. When he fully realises to what he has agreed, he storms out.
Interval
The Opera
Ariadne, who has been abandoned by Theseus, laments her lost love and yearns for death. Zerbinetta and her four companions from the commedia dell’arte troupe attempt to cheer Ariadne by singing and dancing, but without success. Zerbinetta insists that the best way to cure a broken heart is to find another love. Each of the four commedia men pursues Zerbinetta.
Naiad, Dryad and Echo announce the arrival of a stranger. Ariadne assumes it is the messenger of death, but in fact it is Bacchus, who falls instantly in love with Ariadne. As Ariadne and Bacchus celebrate their love, Zerbinetta claims that she was right all along.
Creative Team
Conductor Vladimir Jurowski
Director Katharina Thoma
Set Designer Julia Müer
Costume Designer Irina Bartels
Lighting Designer Olaf Winter
Movement Director Lucy Burge
Cast
Music Master Thomas Allen
Ariadne Soile Isokoski
Composer Kate Lindsey
Zerbinetta Laura Claycomb
Ulyana Aleksyuk (28 June; 5, 11 July)
Harlequin Dmitri Vargin
Scaramuccio James Kryshak
Truffaldino Torben Jürgens
Brighella Andrew Stenson
Bacchus Sergey Skorokhodov
Dancing Master Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke
Guy de Mey (13, 20, 23 June)
Naiad Ana Maria Labin
Dryad Adriana Di Paola
Echo Gabriela Iştoc
The Major-Domo William Relton
Lackey Frederick Long
Wigmaker Michael Wallace
Officer Stuart Jackson
"In 40 years of watching Ariadne, the opera has never moved me more."
Rated 4* by Daily Mail.
"...the production captures the fragility of happiness and the undertow of melancholy better than any I can remember.”
Rated 4* by London Evening Standard.
"...always pleasing and sometimes ravishing to behold.”
Rated 4* by Musical Criticism.
Rated 4* by MusicOMH.
Read an interview with director, Katharina Thoma, on the Guardian website.
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Comments
A wonderful experience from beginning to end. Delicious tea and supper served by very pleasant and competent staff in delightful surroundings.
Posted on behalf of Pamela Primavesi
Hugely amusing first act with audience laughing out loud - followed by dreamy second act - so romantic and atmospheric. The sopranos did you proud - lovely tones and sonics - just wonderful.
Cant wait for Falstaff.
Posted on behalf of Liz Hewitt
I have been away without email access since last Saturday - but home now and eager to recount the glorious experience my daughter (her 40th birthday treat!) and I had at Glyndebourne last Saturday. We both enjoyed it tremendously, and very much admired the production by Katharina Thoma, which made very clear and relevant to the human condition an opera which many find puzzling. (This in spite of my misgivings, having attended the splendid study day the Sunday before.)
The playing and singing were thrilling throughout, especially from the two debutantes Kate and Laura; we long to hear them both again. The set and costumes were a visual treat - witty and amusing, as was the movement - notably well executed by the cast. Altogether it was an exhilarating and memorable evening - thank you Glyndebourne. Now I can't wait for Hippolyte!
A great season to you all.
Posted on behalf of Wendy Cater
We were somewhat disappointed by the production and agree with the review in the Telegraph which said practically word for word what we said among ourselves on the way home. We adore Glyndebourne and look forward to our next visit when we are sure it will all be much more enjoyable.
Posted on behalf of Hew and Anne Billson
I thoroughly enjoyed the production on Saturday. It is first time I have seen the opera but had listened to it and had some misgivings about how it would be staged. However the interpretation and action of prologue got the first half well explained (+ amusing) so that music could take over in 2nd half. The music really fantastic in last half particularly last duet with Bacchus and Ariadne. Great musical treat.
Posted on behalf of Lyndall di Marco
Ariadne auf Naxos was a delight with lovely music and brilliant female singers
All 6 members of our party were unanimous about this verdict. The seats in the Gods were excellent and the standing place I had was perfect and for once I was not stiff after a trip to Glyndebourne. For reasons I cant explain I find your seats very uncomfortable especially in the stalls. I dont think this is a widespread problem but for me the Glyndebourne seats leave all the weight on my feet.
Posted on behalf of Andrew Curran
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