AT THE OPERA
Mythis, legends and fantasy, Part 3
Prepared by Elaine Siversen
With Simon Target

Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos. Opera in a prologue and one act. Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, after Molière’s Le bourgeois gentilhomme. First performed Vienna, 1916.   

Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos, Prologue   
[40:01]

Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos, Act I   
[01:21:50]

   ZERBINETTA: Natalie Dessay, sop
SCARAMOUCHE: Ian Thompson, ten
HARLEQUIN: Stephan Genz, bar
ARIADNE: Deborah Voigt, sop
MAJOR-DOMO: Romuald Pekny, voice
MUSIC MASTER: Albert Dohmen, bar
DANCING MASTER Michael Howard, ten
BACCHUS: Ben Heppner, ten
Staatskapelle Dresden/Giuseppe Sinopoli.Total Time: 2:01:58
Brilliant Classics 9084/1

   There is a splendid dinner at the home of the richest man in Vienna. Two groups of artists arrive to entertain. One is a troup of [commedia dell’arte] characters, led by Zerbinetta and including Scaramouche and Harlequin. The other is an opera company, performing a new classical opera about Ariadne’s abandonment on Naxos. The troupes argue about how they can cut their scenes so that the fireworks can begin at 9pm. The classical composer refuses to cut. Then the Major Domo announces that the entertainments will be performed simultaneously. The Music Master and the Dancing Master try to make the cuts but are hindered by the squabbling for supremacy by the Prima Donna playing Ariadne, and the Tenor playing her rescuer, Bacchus. The entertainments finally begin.

Strauss, R. Das Rosenband, op 36 no 1 (1897).    Anne Sofie von Otter, mezz; Bengt Forsberg, pf.
DG 437 515-2 [03:46]

Glière, R. Concerto in F minor for coloratura soprano, op 82 (1943).    Natalie Dessay, sop; Berlin SO/Michael Schønwandt.
EMI 5 56565 2 [14:15]

Strauss, R. Ariadne auf Naxos. Opera in a prologue and one act. Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, after Moliere’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. First performed Vienna, 4 October 1916.    ARIADNE: Deborah Voigt, sop ZERBINETTA: Natalie Dessay, sop COMPOSER: Anne Sofie von Otter, mezz BACCHUS: Ben Heppner, ten MAJOR-DOMO: Romuald Pekny, speaker MUSIC MASTER: Albert Dohmen, bar DANCING MASTER Michael Howard, ten LACKEY: Jürgen Commichau, bass OFFICER: Klaus Florian Vogt, ten THREE NYMPHS: Christiane Hossfeld, sop, Angela Liebold, contralto, Eva Kirchner, sop SCARAMOUCHE: Ian Thompson, ten HARLEQUIN: Stephan Genz, bar Staatskapelle Dresden; Giuseppe Sinopoli, conductor.
Brilliant Classics 9084/1 [02:01:58]

22:30 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Prepared by Paul Cooke
With Nena Beretin

Moore, K. Broken rosary (2010).    Anna McMichael, vn; Tamara-Anna Cislowska, pf.
Tall Poppies TP228 [05:35]

Takemitsu, T. From me flows what you call time.    Synergy; Sydney SO/Edo de Waart.
ABC 454 516-2 [28:29]

Lloyd, G. Symphony no 7, Proserpine (1957-59; orch. 1974).    BBC Northern SO/Edward Downes.
Lyrita REAM.1135 [50:18]