Winter Kept Us Warm

Strauss’ two late mythological operas, Daphne and Die Liebe der Danae, are often viewed as problematic and have long been kept on the sidelines for the simple reason that no one seems to know quite what to do with them. This is a great shame as neither can be considered minor works; indeed, Danae has passages to rival the greatest of Strauss’ interwar operas. If it is easy to place the blame with the libretti of Joseph Gregor – whose characters and scenarios manage to draw from classical sources without quite hitting the vein of universal truth that makes ancient mythology so perpetually relevant – the new production of Daphne at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, directed by Romeo Castellucci and conducted by Thomas Guggeis, presented a work that lacked none of the ingredients necessary for an evening of compelling theatre.

Without sacrific…