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!	Synopsis by Act
	Mix a dose of classical mythology with a dollop of commedia dell’ arte shenanigans and a dash of worldly wise Viennese satire, and you have one of composer Richard Strauss’s most astonishing ideas: Ariadne auf Naxos (Ariadne on the Island of Naxos). PROLOGUE The action takes place in the palatial home of a very well-to-do gentleman. Party preparations are in full-swing and elaborate entertainments are being planned, including an opera and the antics of a troupe of slap-stick comedians. The Composer wants more rehearsals, as he continues to add and subtract music from the score. He meets, and is smitten at once, by the comedienne Zerbinetta. However, before love can truly flower, the Major-Domo lowers the boom: in order to accommodate the fireworks scheduled to cap the evening’s festivities, both the opera and the comedy will have to be performed simultaneously! THE OPERA Ariadne, Princess of Crete, has helped Theseus slay the savage Minotaur and fled with him to the island of Naxos, where he abandoned her. She is served by a trio of nymphs: Naiad, Dryad and Echo. Although much of the time, the depressed princess sleeps, when she is awake she sings of her longing for Death. The earthy and coquettish Zerbinetta (with several other comedians) resolves to coax Ariadne out of her pensive mood. Yet no amount of singing, dancing, or philosophizing about men seems to do the trick. The nymphs return with news that a handsome god is approaching. It is Bacchus, the god of wine, who has just escaped the clutches of Circe, the enchantress. Ariadne mistakes him for the long-awaited figure of Death and rushes out to greet him. The pair lock eyes and immediately fall in love. They sing of their passion for each other, and retire to Ariadne’s cave. Zerbinetta reappears briefly to state the obvious: when a new god or man comes into a woman’s life, it’s a pretty wonderful thing.

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Saturday 07/11/09

12:00PM - 12:30PM
Inside The Dallas Opera on WRR 101.1 FM
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Monday 07/13/09

7:30PM - 9:30PM
The Inwood Living Room Series Movie Screening: "Closer"
The Inwood Theatre - 5458 West Lovers Lane at Inwood, Dallas, TX 25209

Tuesday 07/14/09

5:30PM - 7:30PM
COSI FAN TUESDAYS at The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille - 500 Crescent Ct., Dallas, TX 75201

Thursday 07/16/09

6:30PM - 8:00PM
Cosi & Koozies Summer Panel Series - "Multiculturalism: At the heart of Moby-Dick and Madame Butterfly"
J. Erik Jonsson Central Library - 1515 Young St., 4th Floor Gallery - Dallas, TX 75201

Sunday 07/19/09

4:00PM - 6:00PM
Cosi & Koozies Summer Event Series - Champagne Tasting with Wedding Cake
The Crescent Club - 200 Crescent Ct., Suite 1700, Dallas, TX 75001

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