Richard Strauss’ tour de force, Ariadne auf Naxos, tells the story of a wealthy man who has assembled two groups of performers in his ranch– a group of opera singers preparing for a serious opera, and a troupe of comedians scheduled to perform an Italian comedy. As time grows short, the patron demands that the opera and the comedy be performed together, leading to an array of unexpected – and ultimately very satisfying – results.

Celebrated director Francesca Zambello’s production debuted at the Glimmerglass Festival, and re-imagines the playful and passionate tale in a rural barn setting. Glorious music and vocal fireworks from an ensemble cast led by soprano Alexandra LoBianco, tenor Jonathon Burton, soprano Jeni Houser, and mezzo-soprano Aleks Romano bring this romantic tale of backstage hijinks to life.