First performed in 1912, Ariadne on Naxos was Richard Strauss’s first chamber opera, written consciously in emulation of the classical style. In the prologue, singers and dancers hired to entertain a rich man’s guests are told that they have to combine their performances so that the evening’s firework display will not be delayed. This prologue introduces the ‘composer’ of Ariadne, one of the great Straussian comic roles, as well as the overweening Major Domo, overseeing proceedings, played to perfection in this recording by Stephen Fry. The opera which follows tells the story of Ariadne, one of the great soprano roles in opera and here sung by the Grammy winning American soprano Christine Brewer. This is the first time Christine Brewer has recorded her superb interpretation of the opera, and the first time the opera has been recorded in English. With an all-star cast, the recording is a significant addition to the Chandos Opera in English Catalogue. Sir Richard Armstrong conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. As a bonus, the orchestral suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Op. 60 is included in the 2-disc set.