Idealism & reality
Strauss’ ‘Ariadne auf Naxos’ is both witty and enchanting
“Ariadne auf Naxos,” written by Richard Strauss, begins in the salon of “the richest man in Vienna” as preparations are in progress for a new opera based on the Ariadne legend, with which the Master of the House will divert his guests after a sumptuous dinner.
The Music Master, having heard that a foolish comedy is to follow his pupil’s opera, accosts the pompous Major-Domo and warns that the composer will never tolerate such an agreement.
The Major-Domo is unimpressed. No sooner have they gone than the young Composer comes in for a final rehearsal, but an impudent lackey informs him that the violins are playing at dinner. A sudden inspiration brings him a new melody, but the tenor is too busy arguing with the Wigmaker to listen to it.
Zerbinetta, pert leader of some comedians, emerges from her dressing room with an officer just as the Prima Donna comes out asking the Music Master to send for her protector, “the Count.”
At first attracted to Zerbinetta, the composer is outraged when he learns she and her troupe are to share the bill with his masterpiece. Zerbinetta and the Prima Donna lock horns while dissension spreads. As the commotion reaches its height, the Major-Domo returns with a flourish to announce that because of limited time, the opera and the comedy are to be played simultaneously, succeeded by a fireworks display.
Ariadne, they learn, after being abandoned by Theseus, has come to Naxos to wait for death. No, says Zerbinetta — she only needs a new lover. The comedienne decides her troupe will portray a band of travelers trapped on the island by chance. Bidding the Composer take heart, she assures him that she, like Ariadne, longs for a lasting romance, but as his interest in the actress grows, she suddenly dashes off to join her colleagues. Now, the Prima Donna threatens not to go on, but the Music Master soothes her by promising a triumph and the heartened Composer greets his teacher with a paean to music. At the last minute, he catches sight of the comics in full cry and runs out in horror.
Written for 16 soloists and a Mozartian orchestra of 36 players, “Ariadne auf Naxos” is one of Strauss’ most enchanting and wittiest operas, a comic collision of idealism and reality, of backstage grit and onstage glory.