Strauss, Richard

Strauss, Richard, b. Munich (Germany), June 11, 1864, d. Garmisch (Germany), Sept. 8, 1949, composer, conductor. Famous German composer of late Romanticism, 1908 ("Elektra") started a long-lasting co-operation with H. von Hofmannsthal and J. Gregor, who wrote most of the librettos for his operas (Hofmannsthal: Elektra, The Cavalier of the Rose (Rosenkavalier), Ariadne auf Naxos, The Woman without a Shadow (Die Frau ohne Schatten), Helen in Egypt (Die ägyptische Helena), Arabella; Gregor: Friedenstag, Daphne, Die Liebe der Danae). S., G. Mahler and F. Weingartner were the most famous and important conductors of their time. 1895 first appearance as a conductor in Vienna, 1907/08 guest conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, 1919-1924 directed the Vienna Opera together with F. Schalk; was one of the originators of the Salzburg Festival. His operas are often set in a Viennese environment and his musical work (waltzes) is influenced by Viennese characteristics.

Works: 15 operas: The Cavalier of the Rose (Der Rosenkavalier), 1911; Ariadne auf Naxos, 1912 (final version 1916); The Woman without a Shadow (Die Frau ohne Schatten), 1919; Arabella, 1933; Die Liebe der Danae, 1940. - Ballet: Schlagobers, 1924. - Orchestral works: Don Juan; Tod und Verklärung; Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche; Also sprach Zarathustra; Don Quixote; Ein Heldenleben; Alpensymphonie. Lieder, chamber music. - Edition: R. S. Edition, Bühnenwerke, Studienpartitur, 18 vols., 1996.

Literature: F. Grasberger, R. S., 1965; W. Schuh, R. S., 1969; F. Grasberger, R. S. und die Wr. Oper, 1969; E. Krause, R. S., 1975; W. Mann, R. S., 1981; R. S. and his world, 1992; C. Wagner-Trenkwitz, Durch die Hand der Schönheit. R. S. und Wien, 1999; M. Boyden, R. S., 1999; T. Ashley, R. S., 1999; W. Deppisch, R. S. mit Selbstzeugnissen und Bilddokumenten, ¹⁴1999; F. Trenner, R.-S.-Werkverzeichnis, ²1999; Veröffentlichungen der R.-S.-Gesellschaft, 1977ff.