RICHARD STRAUSS ARIADNE AUF NaXOS SOILE ISOKOSKI ∙ SOPHIE KoCH JOCHEN SCHMECKENBECHER ∙ JOHAN BOTHA ORCHESTER DER WIENER STAATSOPER conducted by CHRISTIAN THIELEMANN staged by SVEN-ERIC BECHTOLF WIENER STAATSOPER RICHARD STRAUSS ARIADNE AUF NaXOS Orchestra Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper Here is one of the truly overwhelming successes in recent opera Conductor Christian Thielemann history: Christian Thielemann’s sensational return to the Vienna State Stage Director Sven-Eric Bechtolf Opera to conduct his first-ever performances there of Richard Strauss, with an ideal cast in an acclaimed production of Ariadne auf Naxos. “A triumph [...] world stars and ensemble shine” (Die Presse). “Strauss Primadonna (Ariadne) Soile Isokoski in all his glory”(Wiener Zeitung). “Festival standard [...] electrifying The Composer Sophie Koch excitement” (Kronen Zeitung). A Music Teacher Jochen Schmeckenbecher The Tenor (Bacchus) Johan Botha Director Sven-Erich Bechtolf “has again delved deeply into music Zerbinetta Daniela Fally and text”, observed the opera magazine Opernnetz in its rave review Harlequin Adam Plachetka of the performance captured here. “In Rolf Glittenberg’s beautiful Scaramuccio Carlos Osuna Jugendstil salon, he is constantly in touch with the heartbeat of the Truffaldin Jongmin Park story [...] For Bechtolf it is the subtle development of the characters Brighella Benjamin Bruns and their relationships with each other, as well as the work’s delicate The Dancing Master Norbert Ernst irony, that remain of paramount importance. As Ariadne, Soile Isokoski radiates enchanting vocal beauty as she forms endless nuances in one The Major-Domo Peter Matić blossoming phrase after another. Daniela Fally sings the gruellingly Lackey Marcus Pelz difficult part of Zerbinetta with great flexibility, acting it with nonchalant A Wigmaker Won Cheol Song coquettishness. Sophie Koch finds a wonderful note of intimacy as the An Officer Daniel Lökös composer. Effortlessly and with heroic brilliance, Johan Botha sings Naiad Valentina Nafornita Bacchus, a role that has defeated many a tenor. The smaller roles are Dryad Olga Bezsmertna also splendidly cast.” Echo Rachel Frenkel “An event in itself was the triumph of Christian Thielemann and the Video Director Robert Gummlich Vienna State Opera Orchestra,” Opernnetz’s reviewer continued, “shaping the music with utmost care and naturalness, with unceasing shot in transparency and chamber-like delicacy, yet also rising to ecstasy in the final apotheosis. Pure pleasure. The only thing left to add is a fitting quote from librettist Hofmannsthal: ‘It was a thing of beauty!’ The audience UL TRA HD was beside itself with joy, receiving the singers with unrestrained cheers, (3840 × 2160) and erupting with the force of a hurricane for Thielemann’s solo bow.” Length: 141' Cat. no. A 040 50052 A co-production of Wiener Staatsoper and UNITEL CLASSICA World Sales: All rights reserved · credits not contractual · Different territories · Photos: © Michael Pöhn · Flyer: luebbeke.com Flyer: · Pöhn contractual Michael Different Photos: © territories credits · not rights · All reserved · Tel. +49.30.30306464 [email protected] Unitel GmbH & Co. KG, Germany · Tel. +49.89.673469-630 · [email protected] www.unitelclassica.com.