Ariadne auf Naxos

With this theatrical evening in the house of »Vienna’s richest man«, all chaos is breaking out, servants and performers bustle all over the place. Suddenly the host decides that the tragic opera and the comic opera are to be performed, »simultaneously«, because the fireworks must go off at, »nine o’clock sharp«. The tragedy’s young composer practically despairs, but Zerbinetta, the star of the comedy troupe, wraps him around her little finger. And so, the serious music and fun music clash in truly virtuoso style. On her lonely island, interrupted time and again by amusing interjections, the abandoned Ariadne awaits death – but here comes the radiant young Bacchus and gifts her new life.

With their third collaboration the brilliant creative duo, Strauss and Hofmannsthal, delivered a humorous, spectacular celebration of love and music. Here this is indeed apostrophised as »sacred art«, but it in no way serves any form of idle worship, but rather to, »bring together all kinds of courage«!