Since the 1916 version of Ariadne auf Naxos which we all know and love had its premiere at Wiener Staatsoper, it seems most appropriate to bring you this 1967 performance from the same venue, with a legendary cast at its zenith.  

Karl Böhm, a dear friend of Richard Strauss, is on the podium leading a cast which includes the much-discussed Leonie Rysanek in her prime, fresh from her Met triumph in Die Frau ohne Schatten, James King, and—oh yes—a 29-year-old American mezzo named Tatiana Troyanos.  It doesn’t get any better than this.

Richard Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos

Wiener Staatsoper
Karl Böhm, conductor
29 November 1967

Primadonna/Ariadne – Leonie Rysanek
Zerbinetta – Jeanette Scovotti
Der Komponist – Tatiana Troyanos
Der Tenor/Bacchus – James King
Der Musiklehrer – Paul Schöffler
Harlekin – Erich Kunz
Scaramuccio – Kurt Equiluz
Truffaldin – Herbert Lackner
Brighella – Murray Dickie
Najade – Arlene Auger
Dryade – Margarita Lilowa
Echo – Gerda Schreier
Ein Tanzmeister – Gerhard Unger
Ein Offizier – Harald Prögelhöf
Ein Perückenmacher – Siegfried Rudolf Frese
Ein Lakai – Ljubomir Pantscheff
Der Haushofmeister – Egon Jordan