Soprano Steps in to Save Strauss Opera Premiere in Munich

Manuela Uhl delivers a stunning last-minute performance in 'Die Liebe der Danae,' a rarely staged Richard Strauss opera with a modern, dystopian twist.

Soprano Manuela Uhl stepped in with less than a day's preparation to perform the title role in Richard Strauss' 'Die Liebe der Danae' at the Bayerische Staatsoper after Malin Byström withdrew due to illness.
The opera, which had not been staged at the Bayerische Staatsoper in nearly 40 years, was on the brink of cancellation due to the difficulty of finding a replacement for the demanding role.
Director Claus Guth's production reimagines the opera with a contemporary lens, portraying a failing state seeking salvation through extreme capitalism, with a character inspired by Donald Trump.
The staging transitions from a dystopian future, represented by burning office towers, to historical devastation, referencing Munich's destruction during World War II when the opera was originally composed.
Despite its rarity and complexity, the production was met with acclaim, highlighting the opera's relevance to both past and present societal challenges.