Ariadne—played by the prima donna—mourns the loss of her lover Theseus on the island of Naxos believing that death will be her only comfort. Zerbinetta and her troupe of players observe from the wings and attempt to invade the performance to lift Ariadne’s spirits and then claim the stage for their own performance. With each attempt, Ariadne becomes further entranced by her wish for death, singing that Hermes will take her to the Realm of Death where she will be free from the burdens and sorrows of this world. Finally taking command of the action, Zerbinetta and her troupe of players tell her that the only way to get over love lost is to simply find a new love.