Composer

:

Lou Harrison

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

Mar 30, 1987

Average_duration

:

8:00

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

'Ariadne' is a ballet composed by Lou Harrison in 1954. The plot of the ballet is based on the Greek myth of Ariadne, who helps Theseus defeat the Minotaur and escape the labyrinth. The ballet is divided into three movements, each representing a different aspect of the story. The first movement, titled "Ariadne Abandoned," begins with Ariadne being left alone on the island of Naxos by Theseus. The music is slow and mournful, reflecting Ariadne's sadness and isolation. As the movement progresses, the music becomes more frenzied, representing Ariadne's desperation and anger at being abandoned. The second movement, titled "The Labyrinth," represents Theseus' journey through the maze to defeat the Minotaur. The music is fast-paced and chaotic, with dissonant chords and irregular rhythms. The movement ends with Theseus slaying the Minotaur and escaping the labyrinth. The final movement, titled "Ariadne's Lament," begins with Ariadne discovering that Theseus has left her behind. The music is slow and mournful, with a solo violin representing Ariadne's voice. As the movement progresses, the music becomes more complex and intense, reflecting Ariadne's emotional turmoil. The ballet ends with Ariadne collapsing in despair. 'Ariadne' premiered on May 22, 1954, at the San Francisco Opera House. The ballet was choreographed by Lew Christensen and performed by the San Francisco Ballet. The music of 'Ariadne' is characterized by Harrison's use of non-Western instruments, such as the gamelan and the Chinese lute. The ballet also features a prominent role for the harp, which Harrison believed was an underutilized instrument in Western classical music. Overall, 'Ariadne' is a powerful and emotional ballet that explores themes of love, betrayal, and isolation. Harrison's innovative use of non-Western instruments and complex rhythms make the music of 'Ariadne' a unique and compelling work of art.

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