Sir Andrew Davis conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a concert performance of Richard Strausss comedy Ariadne auf Naxos.
Its the party to end all parties. But two entertainments have been double-booked to mark the evenings climax " a serious opera and a slapstick comedy. The star soprano is throwing a tantrum and the staff are hiding the chaos from the boss. Theres only one solution: perform both shows at the same time.
Under conductor Sir Andrew Davis, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra gave unforgettable performances of two parts of Wagners Ring cycle at the International Festival in recent years. The same performers return with another sumptuous, late-Romantic opera: Richard Strausss comedy about high art and low art, life, love and fidelity.
This is a brand new concert staging by brilliant young director Louisa Muller. Among the specially selected cast are revered German soprano Dorothea Rschmann as the operas wronged heroine, Thomas Quasthoff as the houses major-domo and prize-winning Scottish singer Catriona Morison as the composer.
As an opera within an opera and as a sly commentary on the struggles between high culture and low entertainment, Strausss comic creation was far ahead of its time. Bursting with life, vigour and humour, its also an opera that shows you can rediscover love in even the most unexpected places.
Sung in German with English supertitles
Supported byDunard FundJames and Morag Anderson
Royal Scottish National OrchestraSir Andrew Davis ConductorLouisa Muller Staging
Cast includesDorothea Rschmann AriadneDavid Butt Philip BacchusBrenda Rae ZerbinettaCatriona Morison ComposerMartin Gantner Music MasterPeter Bronder Dancing MasterTBC HarlequinAlexander Sprague ScaramuccioBarnaby Rea TruffaldinoSunnyboy Dladla BrighellaLiv Redpath NaiadTBC DryadSoraya Mafi EchoJonathan McGovern WigmakerOssian Huskinson LackeyFilipe Manu OfficerThomas Quasthoff Major-domo
Strauss Ariadne Auf Naxos (1916 version)
Sung in German with English supertitles
