Cast & Characters

The Cast

Conductor: Fabio Luisi
Ariadne: Violeta Urmana
Zerbinetta: Kathleen Kim
Composer: Joyce DiDonato
Bacchus: Robert Dean Smith
Music Master: Thomas Allen

The Characters

The Music Man (Baritone) - the experienced, kindly music teacher of The Composer. He wants to help his young student's career as much as possible.

The Major Domo (Spoken Role) - the representative of the "wealthiest man in Vienna," at whose house the young composer's opera Ariadne auf Naxos is to be performed.

The Composer (Mezzo-soprano, a "trouser" role, i.e., a male character played by a woman) -a passionate young man. Sure of his talent, yet fragile and sensitive to criticism. His artistic ideals have yet to be tempered by real-life experience.

The Tenor (Bacchus) and the Prima Donna (Ariadne, Soprano) - the two stars of the young composer's opera. They are both conceited, self-centered artists, concerned only with their own careers.

Zerbinetta (Soprano) - the coquette-ish star of the Italian comedy that is also being presented for the wealthiest man in Vienna. She is a resourceful and charming woman.

The Wig-maker and the Dancing Master.

Harlequin, Scaramuccio, Truffaldino, and Brighella - the quartet of men who perform as Zerbinetta's comic suitors.

Naiad, Dryad and Echo - three nymphs in the opera.

A Lackey and an Officer ( only in the prologue)