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Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos

Presented by Houston Grand Opera at Wortham Theater Center - Brown Theater

April 29-May 10, 2011

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Houston Grand Opera presents Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos. Marvel at some of the most spectacular coloratura arias in the repertoire when Houston Grand Opera presents Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, April 29 – May 10, 2011, featuring three glamorous and acclaimed sopranos; Christine Goerke (Prima Donna / Ariadne) Susan Graham (Composer) and Laura Claycomb (Zerbinetta).

All of the major principal roles demand singers of the highest caliber and HGO has assembled a cast which is second to none. Susan Graham, one of the world’s leading mezzo sopranos, returns to HGO to perform the role of the Composer. This role has become a signature calling card for Graham with many invitations from opera houses around the world. American soprano, Christine Goerke, who performed Ortrud in Lohengrin last season, performs the role of Ariadne, while soprano Laura Claycomb, recently seen as Tytania in HGO’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performs Zerbinetta. Tenor Alexey Dolgov returns to HGO as Bacchus, after singing Cavaradossi in last season’s production of Puccini’s Tosca.

The ravishing score will be conducted by HGO Music Director, Patrick Summers and this sparkling production is designed and directed by legendary opera director, John Cox.

This seldom-produced gem of the repertoire offers much for lovers of both music and theatre. Premiered in 1916, Ariadne auf Naxos is an opera about an opera and takes place at the home of the richest man in Vienna. To entertain his guests, he has invited a commedia dell’arte group and an opera company- who will perform a serious opera, Ariadne on Naxos. However, he decrees the fireworks for his party should begin at 9 o'clock, which means the companies must perform simultaneously.

At first, everyone complains and bickers. The comedians’ relaxed ‘the show must go on’ approach in the face of the ‘prima-donna’ behavior of the opera company is, though, matched by their humanity when they hear of Ariadne’s heartbreak over Theseus. Through Strauss’ soaring music and Hofmannsthal’s witty and intelligent libretto, the message becomes clear; love is the great common denominator.

Ariadne auf Naxos is the second opera in HGO’s planned multi-year exploration of the German repertory, following Wagner’s Lohengrin in 2009/10 season. German masterworks by Wagner, Beethoven and Strauss represent some of the greatest challenges an opera company can undertake. Under HGO Music Director, Patrick Summers, the musical forces of Houston Grand Opera have the skill and virtuosity to do justice to these demanding operas.

Maestro Summers said, “Ariadne auf Naxos is a wonderfully paradoxical work: it is of immense difficulty on every level, vocal, orchestral, linguistic, philosophical, dramatic, and narratively - yet it is also such an enjoyable delight, easy on the ear and eye, thoroughly entertaining and, to me, deeply touching. I'm so happy that Houston Grand Opera is facing its challenges with such a divine cast and an orchestra now up to the task.”

“Director John Cox … has knit the entire Ariadne production together seamlessly, bringing out the dichotomous nature of the theme with subtlety and finesse.” -Culture Vulture

Sung in German with English Surtitles.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago production of "Ariadne auf Naxos" was made possible by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.

Credit: Courtesy of San Francisco Opera, photo by Ken Howard.