Merola Opera Program’s solid production of Richard Strauss’ 1916 “Ariadne auf Naxos,” onstage over the weekend at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, is an opera within an opera, a mashup of highbrow and lowbrow and a commentary on so-called society.
The work, sung in German and featuring some of the genre’s most glorious music, begins in a luxurious home where the up-and-coming Composer is informed by his patron, the richest man in Vienna, that his serious opera must share the spotlight with a comedy scheduled for the same time. The opera and commedia dell’arte troupes collide.
Initially, the Composer runs the show: Strauss is said to have so disliked tenors and baritones that he made it a trouser role for mezzo soprano; Theo Claveles sings it lustrously.
Very soon, comedienne and flirt Zerbinetta (Emilie Kealani) with her dazzling flights of coloratura takes the controls. She plays to the audience mercilessly while persuading the Composer that all will go well, and later trying to console the Diva, the abandoned and lonely Ariadne, sung by brilliant-toned, edgy-voiced Adia Evans.
Ariadne, though, can only be consoled by a handsome god: Tenor Matthew Sink as Bacchus comes to the rescue later.
Backstage foolery takes over the production’s first half, with vivid performances by the music director (Enes Pektas), choreographer (Ryan Bryce Johnson) and wigmaker (Raúl Morales Velazco). And, in harlequin costumes, the dell’arte quartet (Paul Jang, Logan Wagner, John Mburu, Cole McIlquham) steals the show.
Next comes the opera, which finds Ariadne on an island after being deserted by her lover Theseus. Her attendants — sweet-voiced Jennifer Robinson, Katherine Dobbs and Abigail Raiford — try to lessen her sorrows, but only Bacchus can manage the eventual happy ending in a rapturous duet.
Supple, passionate conducting by Ann-Katrin Stöcker and rapid-fire stage direction by Omer Ben Seadia fortify the fine performances that display the collective commitment of each of the Merola singers.
Merola Opera Program, an internationally acclaimed training opportunity for singers, musicians and directors, closes its 2026 summer season with its annual grand finale showcase later this month in San Francisco.
The Merola Grand Finale is at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 in the War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. A reception at 10 p.m. Aug. 15 at Wilsey Center for Opera, 401 Van Ness Ave., follows. Tickets are $25-$95 for the performance; $85 for the reception at merola.org.
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