Ariadne auf Naxos

COLLEGE-CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI (2008)

ARIADNE AUF NAXOS by Richard Strauss
Conductor: Wei-En Hsu
Cast: K. Buzcek, C. Maloney, A. Scherzer, JC Adams, M. Young
Production: N. Muni (scenery/clothes), B. Gantose (lighting)

Production Description: This adaptation was presented in two languages, German and English. Set in the present, the approach involved a wealthy opera patron who engaged a German, avant-garde, opera company to present a “new opera” at the gala opening of his theater. He also engaged an American hip-hop group to entertain his guests. The avant garde troup spoke/sung in German and the American popular entertainers spoke/sung in English. Some of the Germans spoke broken English; none of the Americans understood a word of German.