What we do in the shadows

Miles Kastendieck in the New York Journal-American:

The audience sat engrossed. Not only did the music catch it, but the production and the performance fascinated it. Cheers broke out after each act. There was no doubt that this opera was a masterpiece and the evening a great occasion.

While a case might be made that “Die Frau ohne Schatten” is the most pretentious opera in history, especially when so extravagantly mounted, that approach would violate the essence of Strauss. Given the fantasy by Hofmannsthal, he reached out to clothe it with penetrating understanding. . . .

Though the Empress may be the pivotal figure, it was the Dyer’s Wife, sung by Christa Ludwig, who dominated this performance. She was the one who sold her shadow, yielding to the temptation of riches. Miss Ludwig emerged as an outstanding singing-actress for her dramatic portrayal of the role and some superb singing.

On this day in 1996 soprano Victoria Loukianetz made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Violetta in six performances (and that was all.)