Richard Strauss’s lighthearted opera within an opera is a knowing wink at the world behind the curtain, combining humor with coloratura fireworks and opulent melodies. Presented for the first time in almost 60 years, Cincinnati Opera features a new production at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Soprano Twyla Robinson is the eponymous heroine, singing the dual role of Ariadne/Prima Donna, after previously starring as the matriarch Becky Felderman in our 2015 world premiere of Morning Star. Following his company debut in our 2016 production of Fidelio, Jun Märkl returns to conduct.