Complete Operas of Strauss

by Charles Osborne

Richard Strauss, born in 1864, was one of the 20th century's greatest and most prolific opera composers. His third opera, "Salome", introduced the single-act structure, and the sensuality of the mujsic caused a furore. This was followed by the equally shocking "Elektra", written in collaboration with Hugo von Hofmannsthal, but they completely changed direction for their next joint venture, "Der Rosenkavalier", in which the Viennese waltz found its apotheosis. Once considered a revolutionary, Richard Strauss is today seen as the last of the German romantic composers, and most of his operas are still performed regularly throughout the world.. As in his other guides to the operas of major composers, including Mozart, Puccini and Verdi, the author takes each opera in turn and describes the composer's life at the time of composition, discusses the libretto and librettist, outlines the story and gives a detailed musical analysis. The book is intended for the expert and the general music lover alike.

Genres: Music

294 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Charles Thomas Osborne was a journalist, theatre and opera critic, poet and novelist. He was assistant editor of The London Magazine from 1958 until 1966, literature director of the Arts Council of Great Britain from 1971 until 1986, and chief theatre critic of Daily Telegraph (London) from 1986 to 1991. He is the only author the Agatha Christie Estate has ever allowed to produce adapted works in her name. (wikipedia)

Reviews

[Bill FromPA · Rating 5 out of 5]

The musical analysis is fairly superficial, but this is valuable for the detailed plot summaries Osborne provides, as well as a brief biography.