Ariadne auf Naxos ("Ariadne on Naxos") is a German opera in a prologue and one act by Richard Strauss, first performed on October 25, 1912, with a libretto by the renowned writer Hugo von Hofmannsthal. As with his previous opera, Der Rosenkavalier, Strauss uses the historical backdrop of the 18th century to present the story of Ariadne from Crete through a mise en abyme: after helping Theseus kill her brother, the monstrous Minotaur, she escapes with the hero, who then abandons her on the island of Naxos. The idea of incorporating theatrical fiction within historical fiction proves to be a clever process, multiplying the layers of theater: it is somewhat reminiscent of love, where one never knows who is deceiving whom, as suggested by the plot of Ariadne auf Naxos. It is not by chance that Ariadne does not recognize the god Dionysus at first sight... With its countless nuances of meaning, Ariadne auf Naxos is a veritable labyrinth at the very heart of the human soul!
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Whether you want to experience Ariadne auf Naxos by Strauss live, in replay, or on demand, medici.tv is the ultimate online platform that offers you a VIP seat to the most exquisite concerts by world-renowned artists, all in high definition! Thanks to the insightful libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos, Op. 60 delves into the depths of the human soul without succumbing to overflowing levels of pathos: jealousy, self-pity, regret, but also hope, love, and trust are all explored. Discover all of this on medici.tv, wherever and whenever you desire.
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The greatest artists perform Strauss's Ariadne Auf Naxos, Op. 60 on medici.tv, the premier platform for streaming classical music
While the myth of Ariadne is often remembered by the protagonist's famous "thread" that aided Theseus in escaping the labyrinth of the Minotaur, the subsequent part of her story, as depicted in Strauss's opera Ariadne auf Naxos, Op. 60 is frequently overlooked: after betraying her own family, she escapes with Theseus. However, upon reaching the island of Naxos, he abandons her without a second thought. The story of Ariadne auf Naxos could end there, and one might view it as a just punishment for Ariadne, if not for the fact that the god Dionysus chooses her as his wife and carries her away to Olympus. As Maria Daraki emphasizes, Ariadne represents the "double feminine" of the god of fertility, symbolizing rebirth after death and the triumph of life over adversity. And the passion of a new love propels her towards new adventures. With a sparkling humor, heightened sensuality, and the rekindling of hope, Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos, Op. 60 is the perfect opera for experiencing a splendid catharsis and escaping your troubles. On medici.tv, you will find a wealth of interpretations of this Strauss masterpiece. Are you ready to embark on this mythical journey?