Sir Andrew Davis conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a filmed concert performance of Richard Strauss' 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 optional closed captions in English.
This is a digital performance that will be available to watch online from 29 August at 7.30pm to 27 February at 11.59pm. Please book a free ticket to watch this performance at home.
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis Conductor
Louisa Muller Staging
Cast includes
Dorothea Rschmann Ariadne
David Butt Philip Bacchus
Brenda Rae Zerbinetta
Catriona Morison Composer
Martin Gantner Music Master
Peter Bronder Dancing Master
Joshua Hopkins Harlequin
Alexander Sprague Scaramuccio
Barnaby Rea Truffaldino
Sunnyboy Dladla Brighella
Liv Redpath Naiad
TBC Dryad
Soraya Mafi Echo
Jonathan McGovern Wigmaker
Ossian Huskinson Lackey
Filipe Manu Officer
Thomas Quasthoff Major-domo
Strauss Ariadne Auf Naxos (1916 version)
Sung in German with English supertitles