The Royal Opera House is preparing to present its fourth revival of Christof Loy’s 2002 production of Richard Strauss’s romantic comedy Ariadne Auf Naxos  at the venue for three performances only next month.

This revival also marks the début of Lothar Koenigs (Music Director of Welsh National Opera) as conductor at the Royal Opera House.

A wealthy patron has organised for two after dinner entertainments: a comic play and a newly commissioned opera on the theme of Adriane. But dinner overruns and to the shock of all, he demands that both entertainments be performed at the same time so that they will be finished in time for the fireworks.

In the opera, Adriane, abandoned on Naxos, longs for death. But a comedy troupe, led by Zerbinetta try to persuade her to abandon her melancholy. But can Zerbinetta’s faith that something is just around the corner be proved correct? Or will Adriane get her wish?

The cast will include Finnish soprano Karita Mattila, who returns to the role she sang for the first time at the Royal Opera House in 2014. Also coming back for the production is Canadian soprano  Jane Archibald as Zerbinetta. Romanian mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose returns as the Composer, tenor Robert Dean Smith takes on the role of Tenor/Bacchus and British baritone Thomas Allen as the Music Master.

Other members of the cast will also include baritone Nikolay Borchev in the role of Harlequin and Russian soprano Sofia Fomina as Naiad.

Ariadne Auf Naxos will be performed at the Royal Opera House between the  10th and 16th October.