Victorian Opera Plays Ariadne Auf Naxos

Its music is ravishing, its comic elements charming, and its plot amusing. Whatever happens, the show must go on! Ariadne auf Naxos juxtaposes the idealism of art against the joy of popular entertainment and resolves this conflict with amusing irony.

An opera about opera, it features three dazzling female characters performed by dramatic soprano Elizabeth Stannard in the role of Ariadne, Jacqueline Dark as the Composer, and Ireni Utley sings the virtuosic coloratura of Zerbinetta. The heroic role of Bacchus will be performed by internationally acclaimed Canadian tenor, John Mac Master.

Strauss' orchestrations are full of texture and colour; Hofmannsthal's libretto full of wit and intelligence. Performed in the intimate surrounds of the Playhouse Theatre, this seldom-produced gem of the repertoire offers much for lovers of both music and theatre.

Richard Gill - Conductor
James McCaughey - Director
Julie Renton - Set Designer
Ross Hall - Costume Designer
Paul Jackson - Lighting Designer
Melanie Adams - Naiad
Jessica Aszodi - Echo
Paul Biencourt - Brighella
Jacob Caine - Scaramuccio/Officer
Jacqueline Dark - Composer
Samuel Dundas - Harlequin
Roxane Hislop - Dryad
Paul Hughes - Wig-maker
Anthony Mackey - Truffaldino/Lackey
John Mac Master - Tenor/Bacchus
Adrian McEniery - Dancing Master
Gary Rowley - Music Master
Grant Smith - Haushofmeister
Elizabeth Stannard - Prima Donna/Ariadne
Ireni Utley - Zerbinetta

Performance Dates: 21, 23, 25 July at 7.30pm, 27 July at 6.30pm. -- www.victorianopera.com.au