Michael Tanner

Ariadne auf Naxos at Glyndebourne – how can an opera go so wrong?

issue 01 June 2013

Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos should be the perfect Glyndebourne opera, not too long, not too demanding, a unique and cunning mixture of seriousness and comedy, plenty to think about if you’re inclined to do that, nothing to oppress you, almost no longueurs — though I might take that back later; and a giddy ending.

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