Ariadne Auf Naxos playfully combines two very different art forms: tragic opera and romantic farce. The result is a richly textured work that examines the role of art in society, and contrasts true love with cheerful promiscuity. Richard Strauss and his librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal originally conceived the opera as part of a large-scale arrangement of Molière’s play Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. Though the initial run of performances in 1912 was well received, Strauss and Hofmannsthal decided to rework the piece the Molière material was abandoned in favour of a new operatic Prologue. This second, fully operatic version had its premiere in 1916 and is now a part of the established repertory.
Bus routes: (Aldwych) RV1, 6, 11, 13, 23, 59, 68, 87, 171, 172, 188, X68
Night buses: (Aldwych) 6, 23, 188, N11, N13, N26, N47, N68, N87, N89, N155, N171, N551
Nearest rail: Charing Cross
Tube lines: Piccadilly
Nearest tube: Covent Garden
Directions from Covent Garden :
(3 mins) The Royal Opera House is off Covent Garden piazza, which is visible from the tube station exit. There is a revolving door entrance at the piazza.
Car park: Drury Lane, Parker Street (7mins)
In congestion zone?: Yes
Air conditioned
Bar
Disabled toilets
Infrared hearing loop
Toilets
Wheelchair accessible
Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.
Ariadne Auf Naxos
Royal Opera House, London
Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes
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