Ariadne auf Naxos
Ariadne is shown abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos, bewailing her fate, as she mourns her lost love and longs for death. At this point Zerbinetta and her four companions from the burlesque group appear. They attempt to cheer Ariadne, but without success. In a sustained and dazzling piece of coloratura singing Zerbinetta insists that the simplest way to get over a broken heart is to find another man. In a comic interlude, each of the clowns pursues Zerbinetta.
The three nymphs, Naiad, Dryad and Echo then announce the arrival of a stranger on the island. At first Ariadne thinks he is the messenger of death; but in fact it is the god Bacchus. He falls instantly in love with Ariadne and promises to set her in the heavens as a constellation. Zerbinetta returns briefly to repeat her philosophy of love; then the opera ends with the passionate singing of Ariadne and Bacchus.
[
Instrumentation
- Woodwind: 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons
- Brass:: 2 horns, trumpet, trombone
- Percussion: tambourine, timpani, drum, cymbals, snare drum
- Other: strings, harmonium, celesta, glockenspiel, piano, 2 harps
[
Sources
- Hartmann, Rudolf. Richard Strauss: The Staging of His Operas and Ballets. Oxford University Press. 1981.
- Holden, Amanda; (editor), with Kenyon, Nicholas and Walsh, Stephen [1993]. The Viking Opera Guide. London: Viking. ISBN 0-670-81292-7.
- Warrack, John and Ewan West, The Oxford Dictionary of Opera, 1992, 782 pages, ISBN 0-19-869164-5
[
References
[
External links
For more information review our copyright contact and privacy policy.