Ariadne auf Naxos at Wiener Staatsoper

Authors

• Hugo Von Hofmannstahl
• Richard Strauss

The richest man in Vienna wants to pamper the guests of a Soiree in his palace by an especially generous offer: first a sumptuous meal, then the premiere of the new Opera "Ariadne auf Naxos", on a "Singspiel in the Italian Opera buffa" and finally a firework display. Because the Geldprotz is mean to the mythical scene of a desert island, he orders to perform the two opposing pieces at the same time on the same stage. Outermost barely manages to persuade the composer of the Opera, the tenor and the Prima Donna to the appearance of the resourceful dancing master of the House. The comedian company of Opera buffa piece, however, sees no problems, quite the against contrary: Zerbinetta, the pretty Coquette of the troupe with the composer of the Opera with extreme sophistication - and which are ultimately decisive for his concession to strange performance mode. Interestingly, the Association of the pieces succeed excellent: the Ariadne abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos in mourning and expected the death. As Zerbinetta and her people turn up and try to cheer up Ariadne. But not even a Stegreifspiel of everyone is able to make happy the grieving. Only when the God Bacchus appears everything changes: Ariadne and Bacchus fall in love. And as Ariadne follows its determination on his arm, Zerbinetta turns the scenery its ambiguous rhyme: "Gone, out comes the new God we are dumb!"