Not a fairy kingdom, but rather an unheated postwar Vienna ballroom transformed into an improvised recording studio: that’s the setting for Christof Loy‘s new production of Die Frau Ohne Schatten at Salzburg. The production is also (if not more so) notable for Christian Thielemann‘s virtuouso conducting of the Vienna Philharmonic and the hair-raising performances of the three leading ladies, as you will witness in extended video clips after the jump.

Der Kaiser: Stephen Gould
Die Kaiserin: Anne Schwanewilms
Die Amme: Michaela Schuster
Barak, der Färber: Wolfgang Koch
Sein Weib: Evelyn Herlitzius

Bühnenbild: Johannes Leiacker
Kostüme: Ursula Renzenbrink
Musikalische Leitung: Christian Thielemann
Regie: Christof Loy

Photo: Monika Rittershaus

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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