Ariadne auf Naxos

18:30 Introductory lecture: Prof. Bernhard Epstein

Opera by Richard Strauss in one act with a prelude
Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal after Molière's "The Citizen as Nobleman"
(Scenic piano version)

TO THE CONTENT
Ariadne auf Naxos tells of a double theatrical world: an eccentric Viennese patron decides to have a heroic opera and a turbulent comedy performed simultaneously - the ideal of "high" art clashes with entertaining spectacle, while behind the scenes the composer, singers and comedy troupe struggle for profile, vanity and artistic truthfulness. In the actual opera, Ariadne, abandoned by Theseus, mourns on the island of Naxos and longs only for death, while Zerbinetta and her commedia dell'arte troupe claim with wit and wisdom that all love is replaceable; it is only with the appearance of the god Bacchus that Ariadne's despair is transformed into an overwhelming new beginning - loneliness becomes ecstasy.

Ariadne auf Naxos arose from the fruitful collaboration between Richard Strauss and his librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1912/1916). It is precisely in the sophisticated combination of opposites that the work touches the core of what music and theater can achieve together: to make human feelings tangible in all their depth and lightness.

WORKSHOP IDEA
In the WERKSTATT_ARIADNE, students of the HMDK Stuttgart's Institute of Singing have been working on this opera since fall 2025 under the direction of Prof. Christina Landshamer, first in a precise musical rehearsal and then in depth together with Manfred Honeck, whereby they get to know the work with a conductor of international standing. At the same time, scenographer Franziska Ritter conceives the realization as a teaching project: in several joint workshop days and individual coaching sessions, the students explore the extent to which design elements such as scenic design, costume, stage design, lighting, props and a concert performance can be effective. The workshop is therefore both intensive artistic training and a laboratory for new concert formats, in which knowledge of dramaturgy and conceptual-spatial design is applied in a practical way.

Supported by the HMDK Society of Friends

PEOPLE OF THE AUDITION
Hans Brackrock, The Steward
Josua Bernbeck, A Music Teacher
Chiara Bäuml/Inez Lopez Fernandez, The Composer*
N.N. , The Tenor (later Bacchus)
Peter Ermer, An officer
Theo Rohde, A dancing master
Jonathan Paulsen, A Wigmaker
Hannes Nedele, A footman
Aika Kambara, Zerbinetta
Eva Maria Hartmann, Primadonna (later Ariadne)
Olivier Nilles/Anton Weinmann, Harlequin*
Theo Rohde, Scaramuccio
Lukas Krimmel/Jan-Henrik Witkowski, Truffaldin*
Peter Ermer/Martin Höhler, Brighella*

CHARACTERS OF THE OPERA
Eva Maria Hartmann, Ariadne
N.N., Bacchus
Ashkhen Varzhapetyan, Najade
Linda Bennett/Yasmina Klingel/Anastasiia Papenko, Echo*
Sara Bulkurcu/Laila Zürn, Dryad*

*Multiple casts in alphabetical order

Director of Studies (Institute for Singing)
Prof. Cornelis Witthoefft

Eberhard Leuser/Olga Wien, piano
Franziska Ritter, scenography
Manfred Honeck, musical direction