This performance of Die Frau ohne Schatten is one of those “I was there” performances. I went for Nilsson, but the star for me was the exceptional Mignon Dunn. I had seen her in many a Met production by this time, as well as in regional opera houses in the US, and even a few unexpected encounters in Mexico City.

I chose this performance because Die Amme is one of those roles that is often, in my opinion, miscast, or cast for the wrong reason. Mignon Dunn actually sings this treacherous role, rather than half bark half sprechstimme as so many have done and continue to do. Of all Mignon Dunn’s roles, and I saw her as Azucena, Ulrica, Ortrud, Laura, Amneris, Carmen, to name a few, her Amme was for me the accomplishment of a lifetime.