Duration
4 hrs 10 mins
Closing Date
Until December 19, 2024
Why Watch Die Frau ohne Schatten?
A rare chance to experience Richard Strauss's most ambitious mystical opera, conducted by the Grammy award-winning musical director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
Herbert Wernicke's visually stunning production revolutionizes operatic storytelling with an unlikely combination of mirrors, light, and space to create a kaleidoscopic illusion.
Three powerhouse sopranos - Elza van den Heever, Lise Lindstrom, and Nina Stemme - lead an exceptional cast in what many consider the most vocally demanding opera ever written
The Met's massive orchestra, over 160 players strong, brings Strauss's richest score to life with extraordinary musical force under Nézet-Séguin’s sensitive baton.
Composed during World War I, Richard Strauss's magnum opus is a profound meditation on our rare capacity for love and transformation. At its heart, Die Frau ohne Schatten explores the transcendental space between spirit and flesh, toying with the concept of the 'ideal'. Wernicke's production brilliantly contrasts the ethereal spirit kingdom, realized through mirrors and celestial projections, with the gritty industrial setting of Barak's basement dwelling.
The musical effort is massive, demanding two simultaneous orchestras (one on stage and one in the pit) that feature differing augmentations to create otherworldly soundscapes. Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin brings out the score's humanitarian message, making even the most complex passages accessible while maintaining dramatic tension. On this ethereal journey, no participant comes out unaltered.
Storyline
Beyond the realm of flesh & bones, the Empress - daughter of the spirit-king Keikobad - faces a terrible choice. Born without a shadow (the ability to bear children), she must acquire one within three days or risk turning her mortal husband, the Emperor, to stone. Desperate, she and her sinister Nurse descend to the temporal world, where they encounter Barak, a humble dyer, and his discontented wife. As they scheme to purchase the Wife's shadow, their worlds begin to blur together, leading to a profound exploration of marriage, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be human. The fate of two couples hangs in the balance as they face trials that will either destroy or redeem them.
Show timings
- Show timings for Die Frau ohne Schatten may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Cast & Crew
Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Production, set, lighting & costume designer: Herbert Wernicke
Leading roles: Elza van den Heever as Empress, Lise Lindstrom as Dyer’s wife, Nina Stemme as Nurse, Russell Thomas as Emperor, Michael Volle as Barak, and Ryan Speedo Green as Spirit Messenger.
Top songs
The cast features some of today's finest dramatic voices breathing life into Strauss's rich scores, including moving compositions like Wie soll ich denn nicht weinen? and Sie Aus Dem Hause.
Metropolitan Opera House
The Metropolitan Opera House, located in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Broadway, is home to the Metropolitan Opera and has been since it opened in 1966. The theatre, designed by Wallace Harrison, is one of the world's largest opera houses with a seating capacity of 3800. The Metropolitan Opera House is renowned for its technologically advanced stage facilities, its excellent acoustics, and the grandeur of its auditorium and front-of-house spaces. Seating Capacity: 3800 Metropolitan Opera House Seating Plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.
Getting There
- Address: 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, USA
- By metro:
Take the No. 1 train to 66th Street Lincoln Center station
- By train:
The Nearest station to the venue is 66th Street–Lincoln Center (1 train). The venue is just a 3‑minute walk from the station.
- By bus:
Buses M5, M7, M10, M11, M20, M66, M104 and BxM2 stop at the Metropolitan Opera House
- By car:
Patrons can drive or take a taxi to reach the Met.
Facilities & Accessibility
Amenities: Dining outlets, Cloak room, Toilets, Souvenir shop, Free parking, Wifi
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed, Elevator access
Additional Information
Security:To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
Dress Code: Smart-casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
Outside Food: While outside food isn't allowed inside, the hotel complex hosts many cafes or restaurants inside for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets Redemption
You will receive an email confirming your purchase.
You will receive your e-tickets via email within 3 hours from the time of the booking. You can access your tickets by clicking on the link available on the email.
If you book tickets more than 14 days in advance, you will receive the tickets 14 days prior to the show date.
The ticket can be presented digitally along with a valid photo ID at the entrance on the day of your visit.
Please note most of the theatres do not allow entry post the show start time and we recommend you reach the venue 10-15 minutes early.
Show timings may be subject to change every week/month. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
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Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
The cost of the tickets typically starts from $35. Prices may vary depending on the day of the event and the type of seats you choose.
Die Frau ohne Schatten was originally composed in German by Richard Strauss.
Although children are allowed inside the opera house, the content of the show contains strong emotions and themes and may be overwhelming for children. Please use your discretion about the show’s duration and content before making a purchase.
Performances of the production will begin at The Metropolitan Opera in New York on 29 November 2024.
Die Frau ohne Schatten is a mythological epic that follows an Empress from the spirit world as she struggles to save her husband and restore her ability to bear children.
The opera covers three acts in approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes, including two intervals.
