From the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg (2012) Orchestra and Choir of the Mariinsky Theatre Valery Gergiev - musical director and conductor Jonathan Kent - stage director Paul Brown - production designer Denni Sayers - choreography Avgust Amonov - Der Kaiser Mlada Khudoley - Die Kaiserin Olga Savova - Die Amme Edem Umerov - Barak der Färber Olga Sergeyeva - Sein Weib Richard Strauss - Die Frau ohne Schatten Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal 01:37 First Act 1:10:39 Second Act 2:17:04 Third Act Requiring huge forces, Die Frau ohne Schatten boasts perhaps Strauss's most sumptuous score, poignantly illuminating the magic, mystery and earthy warmth of Hugo von Hofmannsthal's characters. Led by Valery Gergiev, this epic production from St Peterburg's famed Mariinsky Opera is a collaboration between two British artists, director Jonathan Kent and designer Paul Brown. Die Frau ohne Schatten is a spectacular and opulent dramatic tour de force, radiantly evoking the contrasts between the spirit world and human existence.