7:00 PM
Ariadne auf Naxos
Opera by R. Strauss
Estates Theatre - Prague Opera tickets
approx. 3 hours | Opera and Ballet | Available
| Date: | November 27, 2025 | 19:00 (Thu) |
|---|---|
| Venue: | Estates Theatre - Prague Opera tickets |
| Duration: | approx. 3 hours |
| Intermission: | Yes (20 minutes) |
| Status: | Available |
| Reviews: | (4) |
Ticket in your mobile device accepted
Richard Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos
In German, surtitles in Czech, English
In the early 20th century, Richard Strauss shocked theatre-goers with two one-act operas, Salome and Elektra, that to an unprecedented degree conveyed heightened emotions by means of wild, ear-splitting musical expression, reaching sonic extremities. Yet the composer subsequently decided to change the style and make a conciliatory step towards opera audiences. First he wrote Der Rosenkavalier, a still widely popular piece, in which, however, the quintessential Straussian bustle both in the orchestra and on the stage still predominates, followed by the far more intimate and far more serene Ariadne auf Naxos.
The latter’s original version, dating from 1912, was conceived as a postlude to Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s adaptation of Molière’s play Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, but in 1916 Strauss revised it into the form of an independent opera, in which it is most frequently performed today. Even though not anyhow indicated by the title, the principal theme of Ariadne auf Naxos is the competition and respect between “high” and “low” art. What is more, Strauss also reveals the timeless boorishness of those who, aiming to improve their poor cultural status, resolve to become “patrons of the arts”.
The spectators of Strauss’s piece have a choice – like when switching between television channels, for a while they watch a serious opera about Ariadne, abandoned by her lover, and for a while a low-brow farce about the frolicsome Zerbinetta. Thus was the decision taken by the wealthy host of the bizarre performance, which cannot run a millisecond longer than scheduled, as art will be followed by fireworks and supper …
Performing:
National Theatre Orchestra
National Theatre soloists
Important:
- Suitable for audience from 12 years
- The purchased tickets cannot be returned or exchanged
- No discounts are provided
- 20 min. intermission
- Theatre is a cultural institution. Please respect the common principles of appropriate behaviour and clothing.
- The program may be subject to change
- The price includes service fee of 3,7 € (100,- CZK)
Venue photo gallery
Estates Theatre - Prague Opera tickets
| Address: | Ovocný trh 1 , Praha 1 |
|---|---|
| Capacity: | 589 |
| Type: | Theatre |
| Winter heating: | Yes |
| Wheelchair access: | Yes |
The Estates Theatre is one of the most beautiful historical theatre buildings in Europe
The Estates Theatre is deeply linked with the name of W. A. Mozart. Besides other of his works, it was the venue of world premieres of two Mozart operas: Don Giovanni (on 29 October 1787 – conducted by the composer himself) and La clemenza di Tito (1791, to mark the coronation of Leopold II). Enjoy the festive atmosphere of this beautiful theatre in which W. A. Mozart received enthusiastic ovations after conducting his operas. The Estates Theatre is in operation continuously since 1783. It was built by enlightened and patriotically minded Count Nostitz Rieneck, who thus aimed to enhance the cultural life of Prague inhabitans.
His idea, that a generally accessible theatre is a moral institution demonstrating the cultural level of the nation, was in compliance with the spirit of the late 18th century, the Age of Enlightenment, and the project of theatre was extremely important for Prague of that time. Although presenting plays in German language at first, the theatre soon started staging also Czech plays. In 1798 the Theatre was bought by the Czech Estates, hence its today´s name.
The Estates Theatre is inseparably linked with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The composer has visited Prague couple of times to compose and give concerts here, and in 1787 he presented his opera The Marriage of Figaro in the Estates Theatre.
Under the impression of its enthusiastic reception Mozart composed the Don Giovanni opera for Prague, and personally conducted its world premiere in the Estates Theatre. The opera was an immense success and that is how Don Giovanni and the Estates Theatre have entered the history...
The Estates Theatre was one of the locations in the famous film Amadeus by Miloš Forman. Although the name of Mozart shines the most brightly in the history of the theatre, the Estates Theatre allured many other distinct artists of Europe-wide significance.
Carl Maria von Weber was a musical director of the Theatre; the violin virtuoso Niccolo Paganini gave a concert here; Arthur Rubinstein, Carl Goldmark and Gustav Mahler conducted at the theatre. Other famous personalities are i.e. the actors W. A. Iffland, F. Raimund, J. N. Nestroy, W. Scholze, I. Aldrige and many others.
The Estates Theatre was extremely important for the Czech theatre. From the pioneers such as the Thám brothers, to V. K. Klicpera, J. K. Tyl, J. J. Kollár, etc., the generations of leading creators and artists presented their plays here. The first Czech modern opera, Škroup’s The Tinker, was presented here in 1826.
The play Fidlovačka by J. K. Tyl and F. Škroup, premiered here, includes the song “Kde domov můj” (Where is My Home), which would later become the Czech national anthem. In the Estates Theatre you can see opera, drama and ballet performances.
How to get there:
- Accessibility by public transport:
metro A ( green line) or B (yellow line) - Můstek station - Nearest car parking:
Millenium Plaza, V Celnici 10, Prague 1, or Palladium or Kotva shopping malls on Náměstí Republiky
Marilyne St-Georges | June 10, 2024 | 19:00 (Mon)
I can’t believe I had fun at the opera! I loved the first act, the female singers, the cowboy costumes, the humour…. Staging, etc. I did find the 2nd act too long though…. Although I was happy it had a happy ending! Thank you!
Hermann J Schmid | February 16, 2024 | 19:00 (Fri)
Nice performance. Recommended.
Claudia Holz | February 11, 2024 | 17:00 (Sun)
Extra ordinary performances! We realy recommend and will come back soon!


