Rehearsal Time!

Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos holds a special place in the Vienna State Opera’s repertoire. In its second version, which is performed internationally, the work premiered at the Vienna State Opera. For many, Ariadne is considered the finest opera to emerge from the congenial collaboration between Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

This multi-layered, entertaining, and clever work will be revived in November at the Vienna State Opera: Franz Welser-Möst will conduct, with Barrie Kosky — who has created numerous acclaimed productions at our house in recent years — serving as director. Kosky transposes the action to the Villa Beer in Vienna: Here, a group gathers in which the affluent middle class surrounds itself with artists from the worlds of opera and operetta — a place where seriousness and entertainment, grand opera and light-hearted entertainment naturally intertwine.

Franz Welser-Möst, an honorary member of the State Opera, conducts this new production with a prominent cast of singers: Golda Schultz, making her international role debut as the Prima Donna/Ariadne, and Daniel Behle will be appearing for the first time at the Vienna State Opera as Tenor/Bacchus. Also appearing in the premiere series are Kate Lindsey as the Composer, Michael Nagy as the Music Teacher, and Serena Sáenz as Zerbinetta.