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San Francisco Opera on WRTI: 1976 Archival Recording, R. Strauss' DIE FRAU OHNNE SCHATTEN, Sept. 27

Soprano Leonie Rysanek sings the Empress in R. Strauss' DIE FRAU OHNNE SCHATTEN

Presented in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Richard Strauss, San Francisco Opera’s 1976 production of Die Frau ohne Schatten - The Woman Without a Shadow - featuring soprano Leonie Rysanek and led by distinguished conductor and noted Strauss expert Karl Böhm, airs on Saturday, September 27, 1 to 4 pm on WRTI.

The historic performance, recorded live October 15, 1976 at the War Memorial Opera House, features a resplendent cast that includes Leonie Rysanek (the Empress); Matti Kastu (the Emperor); Walter Berry (Barak, the Dyer); Ursula Schröder-Feinen (Barak’s Wife); and Ruth Hesse (the Empress’s Nurse).

Maestro Karl Böhm leads the 91-piece San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus in Strauss’ musically complex and mystical masterwork.  The conductor's affinity for the works of Richard Strauss were long regarded as definitive interpretations; but he was particularly lauded around the world for championing Die Frau Ohne Schatten.

San Francisco Opera gave the United States premiere of Die Frau ohne Schatten in 1959.

About the opera

Synopsis