Genres:
Theater
Music
Release Date: 09/24/2002
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol/Ger
Dubbed: Ger
Sound: DD5.1/DTS/2
Run Time: 154 min
Distributor/Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Ariadne auf Naxos begins with a lengthy prologue involving the premiere of an
opera based on the story of
Ariadne. A conflict develops when the
opera's composer discovers that a frivolous
comedy has been added to the bill after his new masterpiece. Tensions increase when it is decreed that, because of time restrictions, both pieces are to be performed together so that there will be time for a fireworks display afterward. The cast and creators struggle to quickly come up with a way of making this impossible situation work, and the
opera begins in earnest.
Ariadne, discarded by her lover
Theseus, is on the island of
Naxos, awaiting death. A troupe of comedians arrives and tries to entertain her, but her grief is too great.
Zerbinetta, leader of the troupe, tries to persuade her that she is foolish to want death in such a manner, and
Ariadne leaves her in anger.
Zerbinetta and her pals then cavort about, with various ones vying for
Zerbinetta's attention, which she eventually gives to
Harlekin.
Ariadne is then told that a ship is approach; assuming it is
Hermes coming to take her to her death, she awaits it. However, it turns out to be
Bacchus, a beautiful, young god whom
Ariadne at first takes to be
Theseus.
Bacchus, struck by
Ariadne's beauty, tells her who he really is and takes her with him to live in the heavens.
~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
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