Elena Langer’s contemporary opera Ariadne stands as a powerful centerpiece in the upcoming Autumn season of the English Touring Opera. The Russian-born British composer wrote this concise, twenty-minute monodrama for a soprano, an oboe, and a string trio, making it a highly intimate and raw psychological exploration. It brings to life Glyn Maxwell’s emotional poem Ariadne to Theseus, catching the daughter of King Minos just as she wakes up on the shore of Naxos only to realize she has been abandoned by the lover she sacrificed everything to save. Langer captures the immediate transition from deep love to devastating shock, grief, and rage, offering a modern powerhouse performance that serves as the perfect prologue to Henry Purcell’s classic masterpiece Dido & Aeneas.  The production will travel across the United Kingdom during its tour from 9 October to 28 November 2026. Audiences can experience this compelling double bill at key regional cultural hubs and historic venues, including the opening performances in Sheffield. The company then travels to major locations across the country, featuring highly anticipated performance dates at London’s historic Hackney Empire on 17 October 2026. The comprehensive national tour continues onwards to diverse regions, bringing world-class music theatre to audiences in Buxton, Snape, Barnstaple, Malvern, and Saffron Walden.