Credits:

Daniele Gatti , Florence May Festival Orchestra , Markus Werba , Zofie Koch

Description:

Fresh from the Florence May Festival, "Ariadne of Naxos" under the baton of conductor Gatti! Richard Strauss's opera "Ariadne of Naxos" is a hybrid "opera" in which a serious story taken from Greek tragedy and a clownish play from Italian classical comedy (commedia dell'arte) are performed simultaneously, with an "opening act" of a pre-production backstage frolic. This work, which is rarely performed in Italy, was performed at the Florence May Festival in June 2022, a festival that is known for its vigorous productions of new works. Daniele Gatti, who is known for his performance of Richard Strauss' works and will be the festival's music director from 2021, will conduct. With his agile and graceful baton, Gatti brought out a magnificent sound from this multilayered score for small orchestra. Ariadne is played by the most talented soprano of her generation, Krassimira Stoyanova; Jessica Pratt as Zerbinetta, who has made remarkable progress in coloratura singing; and Sophie Kosch, who specializes in trouser roles and has the composer as one of her signature roles.Along with these veteran singers, excellent young singers are employed, and combined with Matthias Hartmann's pop and lively direction, they bring a refreshing new style to this production. Naxos Japan