Under the musical direction of Marcus Merkel and directed by Elmar Goerden, “Ariadne auf Naxos” by Richard Strauss will be performed at the Koblenz Theater from April 20, 2024. An evening at the opera that humorously provokes an encounter between controversial art forms, personalities and attitudes. A festive event is scheduled to take place in the evening in the house of the richest man in Vienna. What horrifies the artists hired for this is the host's requirement that an opera seria and a rough dance piece be performed one after the other. But even this order is soon overwritten by a new requirement: both works, the opera and the dance led by Zerbinetta, should suddenly be combined so that the performing part of the evening is finished in time for the start of the fireworks. The enthusiasm about this news is manageable. The two artistic camps find it difficult to agree on a fair balance.

Ultimately, however, the idea comes true: On Naxos, Ariadne mourns the lost love of Theseus, who abandoned her on this island. While she is deeply depressed and awaits her own death, Zerbinetta's troupe tries to cheer her up with dancing and singing. But Ariadne seems irredeemably lost - until the unexpected appearance of the god Bacchus, whom she believes to be the messenger of death and is ready to go with him. But as if by a miracle a legendary love arises between the two and Ariadne is brought back to life.

With their piece about the apparent incompatibility of seriousness and fun, Strauss and Hofmannsthal have once again created a masterpiece of the comic genre after the enormous success of their “Rosenkavaliers”. With spectacular coloratura, deep romantic sadness and powerful vocal ecstasy, “Ariadne auf Naxos” has thrilled opera fans for over a hundred years. Elmar Goerden's production develops in the first part in a high marble hall (stage: Silvia Merlo, Ulf Stengl) in the said house of the (newly) richest man in Vienna, which is in contrast to what the room itself is implied, is functionally furnished with little choice furniture. He himself is by no means present, only his steward, who appears very modern dressed in Lagerfeld's style with tinted sunglasses and is only too happy and very emphatic to convey his master's audacity towards the committed artists. The snubbed composer and the opera ensemble in particular find his demand to be in poor taste, as it clearly shows that an amusing dance game and the furore of a firework display are more important to him than an artistic opera seria, which just takes time! With her costumes, Lydia Kirchleitner accentuates the eccentricities of the characters in a strikingly comical way, without exaggerating - on the chaotic island of Naxos, ancient garb and white tie dress code come together. Just as high art and supposedly light entertainment, Ariadne's inconsolable lovesickness and Zerbinetta's casual attitude to life and love or also: two opposing images of women come together. Strauss' music sets virtuoso accents and reflects the contrasts of what is happening on stage in fine atonality and sounds rich and rich in timbre with a small orchestra of the Rheinische Philharmonie State Orchestra under chief conductor Marcus Merkel - an opera evening that offers a lot to discover.

Reduced prices apply to children, schoolchildren, students, trainees, people who have completed volunteer years, recipients of state social benefits and severely disabled people (from 80% GdB).