Ariadne auf Naxos Tickets

Ariadne auf Naxos at the Vienna State Opera

Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s Ariadne auf Naxos is an opera about putting on an opera. In the Prologue, in the house of the richest man in Vienna, a young composer learns that his serious new opera about Ariadne must share the evening with a comedy troupe led by the dancer Zerbinetta — and then that both must be played at the same time, because there are fireworks to follow. In the opera itself, Ariadne mourns Theseus on her island and longs for death, Zerbinetta and her companions try to cheer her up, and the god Bacchus arrives to transform her. The first version, of 1912, was attached to a Molière play; the version played today, with the Prologue, had its premiere at the Vienna Court Opera on 4 October 1916. Listen for the Composer’s hymn to music and Zerbinetta’s “Großmächtige Prinzessin”, one of the longest and highest coloratura arias in the repertoire.

This season the Vienna State Opera opens a new production by Barrie Kosky, with its premiere on 22 November 2026; the performances listed here begin on 25 November. Kosky moves the Prologue to the Villa Beer, an upper-class Viennese house where the wealthy kept company with opera and operetta artists, reads Zerbinetta’s troupe as the world of operetta and a new generation of emancipated women, and makes Bacchus Dionysus, the god of theatre itself. Sets are by Rufus Didwiszus, costumes by Victoria Behr and lighting by Franck Evin. Franz Welser-Möst conducts in November and December, Asher Fisch in April 2027. Sung in German and played straight through without an interval; the house holds an introduction in German in the Gustav Mahler Hall 30 minutes before each autumn performance.

• ComposerRichard Strauss, 1916 version
• Sung inGerman, seat-screen subtitles
• Running timeAbout 2 h 15 min, no interval
• ProductionBarrie Kosky, new
• ConductorsFranz Welser-Möst · Asher Fisch
• Premiere22 November 2026

Who’s Singing This Season

Two runs share the season, one in late autumn and one in April; Kate Lindsey, Serena Sáenz and Daniel Behle sing in both.

• 25 and 28 November, 1 and 5 December 2026Golda Schultz (the Prima Donna and Ariadne), Kate Lindsey (the Composer), Serena Sáenz (Zerbinetta), Daniel Behle (the Tenor and Bacchus), Michael Nagy (the Music Master), Andrea Eckert (the Major-domo) and Jörg Schneider (the Dancing Master); Franz Welser-Möst conducts.
• 17, 21 and 24 April 2027Christina Nilsson (the Prima Donna and Ariadne), Kate Lindsey (the Composer), Serena Sáenz (Zerbinetta), Daniel Behle (the Tenor and Bacchus), Adrian Eröd (the Music Master) and Andrea Eckert (the Major-domo); Asher Fisch conducts.

Casts and conductors as announced by the Vienna State Opera on 4 November 2026. The house can change them at short notice; the names on the day are the ones that count.

Seating Categories & Ticket Prices

At the Vienna State Opera you book by price category rather than a numbered seat: Category 1 is the front of the Parkett and the central boxes, the numbers rise as the seats move back and up, and we reserve the best available places within the category you choose. A new production with Franz Welser-Möst in the pit, so the autumn performances sit above the house’s standard range and the April run returns to it. Tickets for Ariadne auf Naxos are listed with us from €74 to €398 by category across the run; the bands below show what each typically costs.

Prices as listed with us on 4 November 2026; each date shows its own categories and current prices. All prices include our service fee and may be above the original face value printed on the ticket. Categories 7 to 9 are restricted-view places, offered only when the house releases them. Standing room is sold by the house on the day and never through an agency.

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