Ariadne and Theseus
Other operas based on the Greek myth of Ariadne and Theseus.
Ariane (Ariadne) - Jules Massenet
Ariadne auf Naxos (Ariadne on Naxos) - Richard Strauss
Information about the opera Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Strauss's chamber opera has a small orchestra and cast, but provides some of his most beautiful operatic music.
Recommended recordings on CD
Karajan/Schwarzkopf/Seefried (Naxos Historical 8.111033-34)
The classic studio recording, now available in a transfer from vinyl LPs to CDs.
Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Herbert von Karajan, 1954.
Cast: Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Ariadne), Irmgard Seefried (Composer), Rita Streich (Zerbinetta), Rudolf Schock (Bacchus).
Naxos Historical 8.111033-34 (mono)
Sinopoli/Voigt/Otter (Deutsche Grammophon 471 323-2)
An outstanding alternative to the classic Karajan version, and with modern, digital sound.
Dresden Staatskapelle, conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli, 2000.
Cast: Deborah Voigt (Ariadne), Anne Sofie von Otter (Composer), Natalie Dessay (Zerbinetta), Romuald Pekny (Bacchus).
Deutsche Grammophon 471 323-2
Karajan/Schwarzkopf/Seefried (EMI Classics 7243 CMS5 67077-2)
The supreme version of this opera, but unfortunately in a mono recording.
Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Herbert von Karajan, 7/1954.
Cast: Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Ariadne), Irmgard Seefried (Composer), Rita Streich (Zerbinetta), Rudolf Schock (Bacchus).
EMI Classics 7243 CMS5 67077-2 (mono)