Unimpressed by the librettist’s pretentiousness,
Strauss replied that as a ‘superficial musician’ he couldn’t understand
Hofmannsthal’s complex symbolism concerning the nature of Ariadne’s salvation
and transformation, and that the audience was likely to share his bafflement.
Hofmannsthal is certainly equivocal about why the interaction between the
two seemingly incompatible philosophies of art and life presented in
Ariadne auf Naxos results in the transfiguration of Ariadne as she
lies in Bacchus’ arms at the end of the work. And, Christof Loy’s 2002
production doesn’t really address the opera’s theoretical conundrums; but,
in the hands of a superlative cast, it does offer visual and musical
sumptuousness and gratification. Back in 2002, the production marked both the
re-opening of the Royal Opera House after a major refurbishment and the arrival
of Antonio Pappano as musical director. The adventurousness of the striking
coup de theatre at the start of the Prologue is an apt symbol of the
aspiration and confidence which Pappano has brought to the House, and twelve
years on this second revival retains its classiness and ambition.
Ariadne, daughter of Minos, the King of Crete, has helped her Athenian lover
Theseus slay the Minotaur and escape from the labyrinth. However, upon their
arrival on the island of Naxos, Theseus deserts his saviour and Ariadne
languishes alone until Bacchus arrives, having fleed from Circe’s evil
clutches. The grieving Princess mistakes Bacchus for Hermes, the messenger of
Death, while he believes she is an enchantress — although this time he is
happy to submit to her magic.
Jane Archibald as Zerbinetta and Ruxandra Donose as the Composer
This is the subject of the after-dinner Opera commissioned by the ‘richest
man in Vienna’ which forms Strauss’s second ‘Act’. It is preceded by a
Prologue in which we see the Composer learn, with dismay and impassioned
disbelief, that his noble opera seria is to be performed
‘simultaneously’ with the dances and distractions of a commedia
dell’arte troupe. Consoled by his Music Master, he is forced to make
sacrilegious cuts to his score while the comedians and dancers delight in
devising the intrusive diversions.
Designer Herbert Murauer opening set is the entrance salon of an affluent
mansion: it’s glossy and sleek, but also soulless. His Lordship’s money can
buy anything, except sensibility; served by a haughty Major Domo (an imperious
Christoph Quest) who can bark out orders but is denied the language of music,
the master commissions masterpieces but rates fireworks about art.
Murauer swiftly takes us from the clinical vestibule into more creative, if
somewhat chaotic, realms, the whole set magically rising as we descend into the
cellar where the artists are at work. The transformation is slick, but it’s a
pity that a 40-minute interval is necessary to dismantle the complex machinery
that it necessitates and to assemble the Poussin-esque set for the ensuing
Opera. Moreover, although the candle-lit emeralds and aquamarines of the
‘island’ are an effective representation of seventeenth-century taste
(Jennifer Tipton’s lighting design is particularly atmospheric and emphasises
the ‘artifice’ which is such a significant element of Strauss’s
dialectic), the classical French Baroque landscape mural has little in common
with the modern-period Prologue and there are scant directorial connections
between the two parts of the opera. Costumes are similarly confusing: Ariadne
dons mourning black, the nymphs and spirits sport eighteenth-century dress (one
looks suspiciously like Mozart) and Zerbinetta — her stilletto boots and
skimpy dress sluttishly flirtatious — is accompanied by a cast of
entertainers dressed respectively in combat gear, a shiny shellsuit, tartan and
rockers’ black leather. Ariadne’s cave is a dressing table perhaps to
suggest that, peering into the mirror, she is consumed by her own solipsism?
But, things cannot fail to please with Karita Matilla taking the title role
for the first time. Wittily self-parodic as the Prima Donna in the Prologue,
she tranforms into a ‘real’ diva for the Opera proper, rapturous of voice
and expertly balancing nobility with excess. Matilla’s soprano possesses a
powerful Straussian lustre, easily capable of soaring over the orchestra, and
she sings her long monologues with heartful commitment. But, she also finds
variety of colour: recalling her happiness with Theseus in ‘Ein schˆnes
war’ her tone is bright and joyful. And, Matilla demonstrates a strong lower
range, particularly when she sings of the ‘Realm of Death’, building this
monologue to an ecstatic climax.
Matilla commands the stage but the other principals are no less satisfying.
Ruxandre Donose’s Composer was overflowing with adolescent fervour and
idealism. Her smooth mezzo is perfect for Strauss’s flowing arioso
melodies, and her outburst that ‘Musik ist eine heilige Kunst’ (music is a
holy art) was full of elevated feeling and conviction. Donose made engaging use
of a wide dynamic range and was totally convincing in her interaction with Jane
Archibald’s Zerbinetta. The latter has all the necessary vocal weapons in her
arsenal and she had no trouble whizzing nimbly through the coloratura tricks of
‘Groflm‰chtige Prinzessin’ and sustaining a reliable high F. Archibald’s
tone is silvery and even in the stratosphere retains its sweetness. She had a
good stab at capturing Zerbinetta’s less-than-innocent coquetry and
effervescence; and one could forgive the Composer for submitting to the charms
of her Prologue number, ‘Ein Augenblick ist wenig’. But, she didn’t have
quite enough stage presence or depth of characterisation for this production
— a touch more of Despina needed, perhaps?
Kiandra Howarth as Echo, Wynne Evans as Scaramuccio, Paul Schweinester as Brighella, Karita Mattila as Ariadne, Jane Archibald as Zerbinetta and Jeremy White as Truffaldino
Roberto Sacc‡ tenor doesn’t have quite enough dramatic energy or openness
at the top for the demanding role of Bacchus — it is after all the voice that
frees Ariadne from her torment and pain — but in many other ways he acquitted
himself well and had the stamina to cope with the unforgiving challenges, and
tessitura, of the part. There were some deft comic touches during the
tomfoolery of the Prologue, and his overall performance was robust, maintaining
focus through to the final duet.
Thomas Allen was typically dependable as the rather frazzled Music Master,
the diction superb as always. Ed Lyons had all the high notes, including a
secure top B, and delivered the preening Dancing Master’s comic lines with
waggishness. Baritone Marcus Werber sang Harlequin’s song with a pleasing
cantilena and strong high notes. Tenor Wynne Evans was a powerful Scaramuccio,
while Truffaldin was sung with smooth lyricism by bass Jeremy White. Paul
Schweinester used his flexible tenor well in the role of Brighella. However, as
the commedia dell’arte troupe insinuate themselves into the Opera,
choreographer Beate Vollack’s routines at times verged on slapstick and the
pantomimesque steps of ‘Die Dame gibt mis tr¸bem Sinn’ — danced in an
attempt to cheer up the gloomy Princess — were tiresome.
Echo (Kiandra Howarth), Naiad (Sofia Fomina) and Dryad (Karen Cargill)
blended beautifully, especially in their trio commenting on Ariadne’s grief.
Howarth’s pure, youthful soprano is just right for Echo’s simple
imitations; Cargill’s mezzo is fittingly dark and rich. In the smaller roles
of the Lackey, Officer and Wig-maker, Jihoon Kim, David Butt Philip and Ashley
Riches, respectively, all performed well.
Supportive of his singers throughout, Pappano brought a surprising mix of
luxuriousness and lucidity — there were some very effective
pianissimi — to Strauss’s richly textured score. Solos from
clarinet, horn, flute and bassoon were beautifully executed in sentimental
dialogue with the vocal lines; and the string playing in the overture to the
Opera was sorrowful and affecting. The conductor paced the drama with mastery,
especially the final duet, controlling the ever-accumulating waves of sound
with fine judgment. In Pappano’s hands, Romanticism and Classicism were
perfectly blended.
Claire Seymour
Cast and production information:
Ariadne/The Prima Donna, Karita Mattila; Bacchus/The Tenor, Roberto
Sacc‡; Zerbinetta, Jane Archibald; The Composer, Ruxandra Donose; Harlequin,
Markus Werba; A Music Master, Thomas Allen; Dancing Master, Ed Lyon; Wig Maker,
Ashley Riches; Lackey, Jihoon Kim; Scaramuccio, Wynne Evans; Brighella, Paul
Schweinester; Truffaldino, Jeremy White; Officer, David Butt Philip; Naiad,
Sofia Fomina; Dryad, Karen Cargill; Echo, Kiandra Howarth; Major Domo,
Christoph Quest; Director, Christof Loy; Conductor, Antonio Pappano; Designs,
Herbert Murauer; Lighting, Jennifer Tipton; Choreography, Beate Vollack;
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London,
Wednesday 25th June 2014.
image=http://www.operatoday.com/2662ashm_1020.gif
image_description=Karita Mattila as Ariadne [Photo © ROH/ Catherine Ashmore]
product=yes
product_title=Ariadne auf Naxos, Royal Opera
product_by=A review by Claire Seymour
product_id=Above: Karita Mattila as Ariadne
Photos © ROH/ Catherine Ashmore