ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
Opera in one act with a prologue
Music by Richard Strauss ♦ Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal
The action takes place in Vienna in the 18th century
PROLOGUE
Scene – A room in the house of the richest man in Vienna
Final preparations are underway for the first performance of a new opera, Ariadne auf Naxos, commissioned by the richest man in Vienna. The Music Master confronts the Major-domo after hearing that immediately following the opera a commedia dell'arte troupe will perform. He also warns that his pupil, the Composer, will not be willing to adhere to such an arrangement. The Composer enters and, unaware of the comedians' involvement in the evening's entertainment, suddenly conceives a new melody. Zerbinetta, the star of the comedy show, emerges from her dressing room flirting with an officer. The Composer is at first enchanted by Zerbinetta, but quickly becomes outraged after learning that her comedy troupe will be performing after his opera. The Major-domo returns and announces that, because of limited time, the opera and the comedy must now be performed simultaneously. Chaos abounds as everyone tries to resolve this scenario. The comedians are given the plot of the opera: Ariadne, abandoned by her lover, waits alone on the island of Naxos for death. Zerbinetta decrees that Ariadne is not waiting for death, but rather for a new lover. The Composer vehemently disagrees, but at the same time he is enthralled by Zerbinetta. Disgusted by the thought of the forthcoming desecration of his opera, the Composer leaves in a fury.
INTERMISSION
THE OPERA
Scene - The island of Naxos
Ariadne, having been separated from her beloved Theseus, weeps as she awaits death to free her from her sorrow. Three nymphs, Naiad, Dryad, and Echo, comment sympathetically on her wounded heart. The comedians enter and, in an attempt, to cheer Ariadne, sing and dance. Woman-to-woman, Zerbinetta offers stories of her own loves and losses, but unmoved, Ariadne hides in her cave. The comedians return and after some flirtatious competition, Zerbinetta submits amorously to one of them. The nymphs announce the arrival of a ship bearing the young god, Bacchus. Ariadne assumes the ship carries Hermes, the messenger of death. Bacchus reveals himself to Ariadne and is enchanted by her. As she accepts his embrace, they are swept away in ecstasy.
WORLD PREMIERE AT THE KLEINES HAUS OF THE HOFTHEATER, STUTTGART ON OCTOBER 25, 1912
