Ariane (1958) is a short opera based on the myth of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur, which reflects Martinů’s great admiration for the celebrity singer Maria Callas (pictured) in the virtuosic style of its title role. Set in Paris, the earlier Alexandre bis (1937) was written when the city was at the centre of Surrealism, a movement that considerably influenced the composer and is reflected in the opera’s curious subtitle, ‘The Tragedy of a Man who Had His Beard Cut’.
We talk to opera students Elizabeth Karani, Milan Siljanov and Josep-Ramon Olive about preparations for the production, which runs in the Silk Street Theatre from 31 May - 6 June 2016.
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