The Dallas Opera - Ariadne Auf Naxos

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Ariadne Auf Naxos

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Synopsis Cast Bios Composer Behind the Scenes Production part of Masters Trio. See three productions and save!	Behind The Scenes
	Ariadne auf Naxos: The ink had barely dried on the score of Der Rosenkavalier when composer Richard Strauss began urging his librettist, the "dear poet" Hugo von Hofmannsthal to begin thinking about a new project: "Writing symphonies doesn't amuse me at all any longer." Hoffmanstahl, from a wealthy Jewish family of Italian and Austrian descent, was well known as a poet, playwright, and essayist. Richard Strauss had carefully courted the librettist since their initial collaboration in 1906 (Elektra). Strauss promised Hofmannstahl, (we) "are certain to do fine things together if you remain faithful to me." Building on the success of the scandalous Salome and Elektra, Strauss pushed for an opera based on the bloody French Revolution or the life of a legendary Assyrian queen, fabled for her sexual conquests. Hoffmannstahl instead proposed "something most charming, a new genre which, to all appearances, harkens back to a much earlier time;" in other words, Ariadne auf Naxos. Strauss had his doubts, not sure he understood how the half-serious, half-silly plot would work, but agreed to tackle the project. Hofmannstahl selected as his framework the Moli�re comedy, Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (The Would-Be Gentleman), rewriting the play in German and creating a final scene in which to introduce the opera within the play. The composer and librettist quarrelled and although Strauss was older and more famous, he capitulated to the vision and wishes of his partner. Whereas Strauss saw the opera as a charming, light divertissement - Hofmannstahl viewed the work as a psychological study and a profound philosophical statement about the nature of love. Once Hofmannstahl's vision prevailed, Strauss obliged with some of his most stunning creations, including two of the most dazzling arias in the operatic repertoire. The opera was revised after its original premiere in 1913, dropping the Moliere play as a framework and substituting the prologue performed today. Strauss himself grew to love the opera, which he described as "so attractive in form and content that I cannot believe that a more cultured public�will not sometime appreciate its value more fully." Ariadne auf Naxos is now considered by some critics to be "the most nearly perfect work of art Strauss and Hofmannstahl achieved."

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Hover over a date in the calendar above to see the days event(s) listed here.

Saturday 09/11/10

12:00PM - 12:30PM
Inside The Dallas Opera on WRR 101.1 FM
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Tuesday 09/14/10

8:00PM - 11:00PM
TDO Encore Performance - CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA/PAGLIACCI on WRR 101.1 FM
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Tuesday 09/21/10

8:00PM - 11:00PM
TDO Encore Performance - COSI FAN TUTTE on WRR 101.1 FM
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Tuesday 09/28/10

8:00PM - 11:00PM
TDO Encore Performance - DON PASQUALE on WRR 101.1 FM
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