Biographies
- Del Mar, Norman. Richard Strauss: A Critical Commentary on His Life and
Works. London: Barrie & Rockliff, 1969–1973. 3v. ISBN 0-8019-5700-1.
ML410 .S93 D35.
The standard biography, with footnotes, quoted letters, and documents.
Lengthy program notes on the operas, with particular detail for Ariadneand
Die Frau ohne Schatten. Worklist gives titles in English only and very little
information (e.g., omits publishers). Discography has label numbers only. Bib-
liography of about 70 titles, expansive index of names and titles. - Kennedy, Michael. Richard Strauss: Man, Musician, Enigma.New York:
Cambridge U.P., 1999. xvi, 451p. ISBN 0-521-58173-7. ML410 .S93 K46.
Supersedes his Richard Strauss(New York: Schirmer, 1996). The first major
biography since Del Mar’s, focusing on the personality, which he finds enig-
matic. The composer’s relationship with the Nazis is explored; it was tricky on
both sides, since Strauss had a Jewish daughter-in-law. Music is not much dis-
cussed. Backnotes, minor bibliography, expansive index. - Schuh, Willi. Richard Strauss: A Chronicle of the Early years, 1864–1898.
Trans. Mary Whittall. New York: Cambridge U.P., 1982. 555p. ISBN 0-521-
24104-9. ML410 .S93 S38 R52.
Originally Richard Strauss: Jugend und frühe Meisterjahre. Lebenschronik,
1864–1898 (Zurich: Atlantis, 1976). Useful for background only, as there are
only passing references to the major operas, all of which were written after the
period covered. Weak bibliography, expansive index of names and titles. - Wilhelm, Kurt. Richard Strauss: An Intimate Portrait.Trans. Mary Whittall.
New York: Rizzoli, 1989. 312p. ISBN 0-8478-1021-6. ML410 .S896 W541.
Originally Richard Strauss persönlich: Eine Bildbiographie(Munich: Kindler,
1984). A collection of excellent illustrations with a sensible commentary,
which includes attention to the reception of the operas by critics and cartoon-
ists. Views of the composer’s private life are of interest, as are numerous quota-
tions by him. Chronology; index of topics, titles, and names of persons in his
life. No footnotes or bibliography (sources of the photos are not identified).
Operas in General
- Abert, Anna Amalie. Johann Strauss: Die Opern.Hannover: Friedrich, 1972.
133p. ML410 .S93 A52.
Technical analysis of each opera, in terms of libretto, compositional process,
harmonic and melodic materials. Many long musical examples. Also a life
chronology. No footnotes; bibliography of about 60 entries. No index. - Mann, William. Richard Strauss: A Critical Study of the Operas. London:
Cassell, 1964. 402p. MT100 .S93 M28.
Also in German: Richard Strauss: Das Opernwerk,trans. Willi Reich (Munich:
Beck, 1967). Plots and program notes for all the stage works. Bibliography of
about 75 items, expansive index of names and titles.
322 Opera