BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ (1890-1959): Ariane, H 370, Double Concerto for 2 String Orchestras, Piano and Timpani, H 271 (Ivo Kahánek [piano]).

Description: This one-act, 43-minute opera dates from 1958 and, like Julietta above, is based on scenes from a play by the French writer Georges Neveux. Martinů chose the scenes in which Theseus arrives at Knossos meets and marries Ariadne, kills the Minotaur and then abandons Ariadne. Warm and lyrical, the bravura writing for Ariadne had its source in the composer’s admiration for the singing of Maria Callas. This new recording now replaces the 1986 Václav Neumann out-of-print Supraphon. French-English libretto. Simona Šaturová (soprano), Zoltán Nagy (baritone), Baurzhan Anderzhanov (bass), Abdellah Lasri (tenor), Aalto-Theater Essen Choir soloists, Essen Philharmonic; Tomáš Netopil.