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World War One and its Aftermath

Donald Macleod looks at the effects of the war on Strauss's life and introduces two operas written during these challenging times.

Life carried on pretty much as normal for Strauss during the war. His strenuous conducting schedule continued at the Berlin Court Opera and he undertook punishing conducting tours. He met the soprano Elisabeth Schumann during his travels. Her voice inspired Strauss to write his first songs in 12 years, including three which trace Ophelia's descent into madness. After the war, life at the Berlin Opera House became untenable and he took on the co-directorship of the Vienna Opera, a move not without its own challenges. There, Strauss's opera Die Frau ohne Schatten received a lukewarm reception at its premiere. A few years later came his next opera, which featured the composer and his wife as the main characters and a farcical case of mistaken identity in his personal life.
Presented by Donald Macleod.

Amor (Brentano Lieder, Op 68)
Kiera Duffy (soprano)
Roger Vignoles (piano)

Die Frau ohne Schatten (excerpt)
Empress ..... Julia Varady (soprano)
Nurse ..... Reinhild Runkel (contralto)
Dyer's Wife ..... Hildegard Behrens (soprano)
Barak ..... Jos茅 van Dam (baritone)
Vienna State Opera Chorus and Children's Choir
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor, Sir Georg Solti

Ophelia Lieder, Op 67
Christiane Karg (soprano)
Malcolm Martineau (piano)

Four Symphonic Interludes from 'Intermezzo'
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor, Franz Welser-M枚st.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Richard Strauss

    Amor (Brentano Lieder Op. 68)

    Performer: Roger Vignoles. Singer: Kiera Duffy.
    • Richard Strauss The Complete Songs 5.
    • Hyperion.
    • 20.
  • Richard Strauss

    Die Frau ohne Schatten, Act I (excerpt)

    Singer: J煤lia V谩rady. Singer: Reinhild Runkel. Singer: Hildegard Behrens. Singer: Jos茅 van Dam. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Choir: Vienna State Opera School Children. Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti.
    • Strauss: Die Frau Ohne Schatten.
    • Decca.
    • 11.
  • Richard Strauss

    Ophelia Lieder, Op. 67

    Performer: Malcolm Martineau. Singer: Christiane Karg.
    • Heimliche Aufforderung Richard Strauss Lieder.
    • Berlin Classics.
    • 19.
  • Richard Strauss

    Four Symphonic Interludes from 'Intermezzo'

    Orchestra: Bavarian R S O. Conductor: Franz Welser鈥怣枚st.
    • Strauss Eine Alpensinfonie.
    • BR Klassik.
    • 23.

Broadcast

  • Wed 28 Feb 2018 12:00

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