"Ariadne auf Naxos", Prologue (1/2). Sarah Connolly as the Composer, Kathleen Kim as Zerbinetta

The excellent British mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly sang the role of the naive and emotional Composer in Richard Strauss's opera "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Metropolitan Opera, New York in February 2010. Soprano Kathleen Kim was the pragmatic and manipulative comedian Zerbinetta. Each was singing her role for the first time.

The Composer is deeply offended at the instruction by his rich patron's major domo that his serious opera and a commedia dell'arte act must be performed at the same time. However Zerbinetta, the leader of the comedians, flirts with him and manages to charm the susceptible young man into agreeing after all.

Photos: Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sarah
• Connolly
• mezzo-soprano
• Composer
• Komponist
• Ariadne
• auf
• Naxos
• Prologue
• Richard
• Strauss
• Kathleen
• Kim
• soprano
• Zerbinetta
• Metropolitan
• Opera
• conductor
• Kirill
• Petrenko

[rockgor]

Wonderful mezzo. Have not heard Connolly before.

Thanks for the beautiful post.

[melodiaavis]

@rockgor Sarah Connolly sang the role of Sesto in Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito" at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence in July 2011. Beautifully sung, and she is a very affecting actress too.

Arashi110 has uploaded to YouTube a couple of video extracts of that performance which you might enjoy. They are of "Deh, per questo istante solo" and "Parto, parto". I am not able to post the links unfortunately, but you will find them if you search on YouTube for Sarah Connolly Clemenza di Tito

[marlyharris]

I just listened to the May 7, 2011 Met broadcast of Ariadne and Kim as Zerbinetta was flawless. What exquisite music to sing and she honored every beautiful note.

[winselpunkt]

:-)))))))!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!

[belcantooo]

@marlyharris Whaaaaat??? Kim is a shame and i can not understand why she is supported that much by the MET. Listen to her singing Zerbinettas Aria: It is horrible! The voice is little, without any colours and she has big technical problems. Never heard such a bad Zerbinetta.

[chu10rro]

I happened to be in the audience in one of those performances and it was beautiful. Next week I'll see Ariadne again at the Met, with Kathleen Kim but with a different mezzo. Can't wait!!! Thanks for posting this.