Spring 2012

Der Kaiser: Johnny van Hal

The German fairy tale Die Frau Ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow) in three acts was composed by Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864 – Sept 8, 1949). Libretto was written by H. von Hofmannsthal. The opera was first performed in Vienna, Volksoper, October 10, 1919. The opera is an allegory similar to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's famous The Magic Flute. The central subject is the spiritual development of the Empress.

The opera is considered by many to be Strauss’ finest operatic work.