Richard Strauss

Richard Strauss was born in Munich on 11 June 1864, the son of the horn player Franz Strauss. The young Strauss was exceptionally musical, producing his first symphony at sixteen. He built a career as a conductor, added to which was his increasing mastery as a composer with both orchestral music and operas. He lived until 8 September 1949, and wrote the Four Last Songs the year before his death.

 

A selection of articles about Richard Strauss

Classical music news. A Miraculous Achievement - Claire Marsden visits Loughborough to play the Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No 1

Ensemble. Refreshing and Exhilarating - Mike Wheeler starts the year with music by Dani Howard, Smetana and Richard Strauss from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

Spotlight. Colourful Orchestration and Melodic Nature - Geoff Pearce listens to three works by Richard Strauss. '... if you are fond of Richard Strauss's music, you will not be disappointed ...'

Ensemble. Magical Effect - Mike Wheeler listens to Mozart, Richard Strauss and Gustav Holst from Sinfonia Viva

CD Spotlight. A Must-have Disc - Martin Owen plays Strauss, Schumann and Weber, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Martin Owen's command of this repertoire is just staggering, and his sheer virtuosity is nothing short of breathtaking.'

Profile. Allan Rae: Three Symphonies - A detailed look at some astounding music by one of Canada's great composers

CD Spotlight. Overwhelming Performances - Previously unreleased recordings by Jessye Norman, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Unmissable for all opera buffs.'

Ensemble. Sisters Under the Skin - Mike Wheeler is impressed with Opera North's production of 'Ariadne auf Naxos'

Ensemble. Meeting Performance Challenges Head-on - Music by Britten, Anna Clyne, Richard Strauss and Johann Strauss II from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Worthy Venture - Adam J Sacks reports on two Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra concerts

Ensemble. Looking Back and Forward - Mike Wheeler was at the first concert in Nottingham Royal Concert Hall's orchestral season

Ensemble. Songs of the Distance - Giuseppe Pennisi describes how American music is back, alive and well at the Spoleto Festival

Ensemble. Commemorating Malcolm Goldring - The Sitwell Singers pay tribute to their former conductor, with help from various friends and colleagues, including a new work written for the occasion by Bob Chilcott, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Passionate Conducting - Daniel Harding concludes the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia's 2021-22 symphonic season in Rome, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Treasureable Qualities - Gerald Fenech listens to Andris Nelsons conducting two orchestras in music by Richard Strauss. '... superlative performances from both orchestras, who are on top form throughout.'

CD Spotlight. The Magic of Ballets Russes - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Warner Classics' box set. '... a gem which should be on the shelves of all those interested in the music of the early decades of the twentieth century ...'

CD Spotlight. Many Fine Moments - Geoff Pearce listens to Richard Strauss played by the Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble. '... a fine disc of works which are not recorded so often ...'

Ensemble. Vienna in Rome (with a Surprise) - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Giuseppe Gipponi, Lorenzo Viotti and the Santa Cecilia Symphony Orchestra

CD Spotlight. All Done with Mirrors - Geoff Pearce listens to music involving the double bass by Britta Byström, Eduard Tubin, Jesper Nordin and Carin Malmlöf-Forssling. '... a fitting reflection of the work of this fine composer.'

Ensemble. Three Divas - Maria Nockin reviews a streamed recital from Versailles, given by Ailyn Pérez, Nadine Sierra, Isabel Leonard, Vlad Iftinca and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas

Ensemble. A Quartet of Jubilation - Vocal music by Wagner and Richard Strauss, streamed from Germany and enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. A Lovely Gesture - Stephen Francis Vasta listens to Latvian conductor Mariss Jansons' last concert. 'The home listener, even without visual evidence, can sense that all was not well.'

Ensemble. Lolita in Jerusalem - Elena Stikhina in Teatro alla Scala's new production of 'Salome' by Richard Strauss impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Fresh and Startlingly Immediate - Forgotten recordings from George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, unreservedly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... the music is dispatched with energetic vigour, which was the hallmark of all Szell's performances.'

Ensemble. Appreciation of Nature - Maria Nockin reviews a 'Met Stars' online concert from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, featuring Anna Netrebko, Elena Maximova and Pavel Nebolsin

CD Spotlight. Strauss from the Antipodes - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews rarely-heard François Couperin orchestral transcriptions by Richard Strauss. '... good rendering by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra under Jun Märkl ...'

Ensemble. A Space to Reflect - Adam J Sacks was at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's season opener for music by Copland, Beethoven, Doming Lam and Richard Strauss

Ensemble. A Soothing Balm on our Troubled Time - Maria Nockin connects to Renée Fleming and Robert Ainsley's Metropolitan Opera recital from the Dumbarton Oaks Museum music salon in Washington DC

Drastically Revised - Giuseppe Pennisi looks at the detail of the replanned 2020 Salzburg Festival

CD Spotlight. Thus Conducted Mariss Jansons - Ona Jarmalavičiūtė discovers a unique listening experience on one of the Latvian conductor's last recordings, featuring Daniil Trifonov and the music of Richard Strauss. '... this maverick CD contains contrasting faces of Richard Strauss, Trifonov's virtuoso skills and one of the last memories of Mariss Jansons' conducting.'

120 Years Ago - A snapshot of the musical world at the turn of the twentieth century, by George Colerick

CD Spotlight. Sparkingly Virtuosic - Kim Cook plays music for cello and orchestra by Elgar, Schumann, Dvořák and Strauss, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'The soloist, when she enters, is authoritative, warm and very sure footed, and reveals what a remarkable artist she is.'

Ensemble. Affectionate Complicity and Tensions - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Mozart's 'Idomeneo' in Rome

A Call to Action - George Colerick discusses early Romanticism, with particular reference to Schubert, the piano, Schumann and the development of the symphony orchestra

Ensemble. A Rather Peculiar Opera - The new production of 'Ariadne auf Naxos' at La Scala Milan, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Salome and the Stones - Giuseppe Pennisi sends his first report from the Salzburg Summer Festival

CD Spotlight. Freshness and Enthusiasm - Early music by Richard Strauss impresses Gerald Fenech. '... full of sunny and exuberant musical tone painting which gives a huge uplift in spirits ...'

Ensemble. Late Romanticism - Giuseppe Pennisi is moved by Richard Strauss and Schoenberg played by the Stradivari Sextet

Ensemble. Glorious New Directions - Roderic Dunnett looks ahead to 2018 and celebrates more of the best English provincial opera from 2017, at Garsington, Longborough and Winslow Hall

Ensemble. Centres of Excellence - Roderic Dunnett looks back to the 2017 Three Choirs Festival at Worcester, and forward to 2018 in Hereford

Ensemble. Sex and Blood in Jerusalem - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on the new production of 'Salome' in Leipzig

Ensemble. Women's Voices - 'Die Frau ohne Schatten' at the Strauss Festival in Leipzig, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Bitter-sweet Lyric Comedy - 'Arabella' from Festival Strauss in Leipzig, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Joy to Hear - Richard Strauss' 'Der Rosenkavalier', the last of this season's Live in HD broadcasts from New York Metropolitan Opera, impresses Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Absolutely Enthralling - Music for brass and organ, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Barbara Bruns and the Thompson Brass Ensemble give dazzling performances full of compelling virtuosity and brilliantly executed musical stunts that never fail to surprise ...'

Ensemble. Extreme Tensions - Richard Strauss' 'Elektra', back in Naples, impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Assertive Performances - 'Symphonia Domestica' and 'Metamorphosen', excite Gerald Fenech. '... full of charismatic flair and detailed, luscious sound that give these challenging pieces a glow of brilliance.'

CD Spotlight. Shimmering Arrangement - A Richard Strauss first recording, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'JoAnn Falletta and her Buffalo team regale the listener with admirably detailed performances full of watchful sensitivity to the many magical melodies that are encrusted in this score.'

Ensemble. Harmonious in Every Sense - Alice McVeigh explains why 'Der Rosenkavalier' at Covent Garden couldn't have been bettered in any department

Ensemble. Passing Time - Opera North's 'Der Rosenkavalier', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Starving for Gold - Giuseppe Pennisi gets a rare chance to hear Richard Strauss' 'Der Liebe der Danae'

Ensemble. Resonant Baritone - Mike Wheeler describes Josep-Ramon Olivé and Ben-San Lau's Buxton debut

Ensemble. Refined Phrasing - Gemma Lois Summerfield and Sebastian Whybrew at Buxton impress Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Mantle of Wagner - 'Feuersnot' by Richard Strauss, impresses Geoff Pearce. '... the orchestra was sumptuous.'

Ensemble. The Downfall - Richard Strauss' 'Elektra' in Bologna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Amongst the Best - Schumann and Strauss from Grimaud and Zinman, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... a marvelous disc to add to your collection ...'

Musical Prowess - Robert Anderson's 'Opera Nights and Nightmares', read by Gerald Fenech

Ensemble. A High Level - German operas at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Scintillating Overtones - Maria Nockin describes the best 'Salome' she's seen in a decade

Ensemble. Refreshingly Inventive - A recital by Soraya Mafi and Ian Tindale captivates Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Double Murder - Richard Strauss's 'Elektra', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the whole cast has been exemplary under the masterful direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen.'

Ensemble. Winning Flexibility - A recital by Agnieszka Kozlowska and Beate Toyka, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. A Tough Nut - Richard Strauss orchestral music, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... Weigle has his moments.'

Ensemble. Versatility and Intelligence - Balázs Kovalik's new production of 'Die Frau Ohne Schatten' at Opera Leipzig fascinates Roderic Dunnett

Ensemble. Eros and Gospels - Giuseppe Pennisi was in Naples for Richard Strauss' 'Salome'

Ensemble. On the Mountain Top - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening concert of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia's season

CD Spotlight. Musical Assets - Orchestral music by Richard Strauss, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... sensitivity and tenderness ...'

Ensemble. Rosenkavalier at War - Richard Strauss at Salzburg, with Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Varied Mythology - Deutsche Grammophon's Strauss opera compilation, sampled by Robert Anderson. '... a hugely enjoyable set ...'

Ensemble. Delicate Sensitivity - The Innovation Chamber Ensemble at Buxton, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Extraordinarily Beautiful - Joseph Summer's Shakespeare Concerts Series, heard by Howard Smith. '... immediately expressive.'

DVD Spotlight. First Rate - Richard Strauss' 'Salome', recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... fine and emotionally sapping ...'

Ensemble. Fourteen People and a Dog - Brits in Rome, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Exploration and Discovery - 'Die Frau Ohne Schatten' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. A Sexy Summer Night - 'Feuersnot' by Richard Strauss, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Real Verve - Markus Stenz conducts the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Prodigious Imagination - Markus Stenz conducts Richard Strauss, heard by Andrew Schartmann. '... a resounding success ...'

Ensemble. Power and Delicacy - Eloisa-Fleur Thom and Mark Austin, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Different Women - 'Electra' and 'Elena' at Aix-en-Provence, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Enjoyable Performances - Tasmin Little plays Strauss and Respighi, heard by Ron Bierman. '... a winning program ...'

Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - Two tales of the Rising Sun. On Depicting Nature in Music

Ensemble. A Delicate Touch - Frank Rosenwein plays the Strauss Oboe Concerto, enjoyed by Suzanne Torrey

CD Spotlight. Beauty and Power - Australian soprano Nance Grant, heard by Howard Smith. '... an exceptional voice seldom heard beyond local shores.'

CD Spotlight. A Lyrical Outpouring - Vocal music by Richard Strauss, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Anne Schwanewilms manages a thoughtful and gentle radiance throughout.'

Ensemble. An Annual Delight - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe for the summer opera season

Ensemble. Purity of Sound - Richard Strauss, Fauré, Debussy, Poulenc, Wolf and Berg from Christiane Karg and Malcolm Martineau, heard by Bill Newman

Ensemble. First-class Second-rate Strauss - Mike Wheeler visits the Buxton Festival

Ensemble. Important Debuts - 'Der Rosenkavalier' at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a festival with a rich programme but a dire financial situation, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Tremendous Production - Strauss's 'woman' on the analyst's couch, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Imaginative Harmonies - Richard Strauss's 'Salome' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Successful and Fulfilling - On the rediscovery of the Italian symphonic tradition, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Time is a Strange Thing - Teatro Real, Paris Opéra and La Scala join forces for the centenary of 'Der Rosenkavalier', reported by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Memorable Evening - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on the Richard Strauss masterpiece co-produced by Rome's Teatro dell'Opera and the Salzburg Festival

Ensemble. Faith and the Devil - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Janácek and Strauss at the Salzburg Summer Festival

CD Spotlight. A No-nonsense Approach - Orchestral music by Richard Strauss, heard by Robert Anderson. '... not quite the whole story.'

Ensemble. An Invaluable Experience - 'Ariadne auf Naxos' in New York, appreciated by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Achingly Beautiful - Vivaldi's 'La verità in cimento' at Garsington Opera, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett

Ensemble. Rapturous Beauty - Richard Strauss's 'Capriccio', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Golden Sounds - 'Der Rosenkavalier' in San Diego impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Orchestral Story-telling - Mike Wheeler listens to Strauss, Rimsky-Korsakov and Khachaturian from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Ensemble. An Exciting Evening - Jonas Kaufmann's Los Angeles recital impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Deeply Expressive - Mahler, Weber and Strauss at Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Richly Expressive - The Cleveland Orchestra begins its annual South Florida residency, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A Smooth Delivery - Maria Nockin was at San Diego for Puccini's 'Turandot'

Ensemble. For King, Country and Sex - Marco Tutino's 'Senso', experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Unmistakably Italian - A fresh start for Gnecchi's 'Cassandra', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Wonderful Rendition - Puccini's 'La Fanciulla del West' at the movies impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Eros versus Thanatos - 'Ariadne auf Naxos' in Paris, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Touch of Élan - Héloîse Geoghegan and Michael Joyce, heard by Mary Isaac

Performances to Remember - Maria Nockin looks forward to San Diego Opera's 2011 season

Ensemble. Intensely Gripping - Bizet, Richard Strauss and Vaughan Williams from Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Wonderfully Melodious - Richard Strauss operatic scenes, heard by Maria Nockin. '... an iridescent wave of vocal color.'

CD Spotlight. Lightness of Touch - Brahms and Strauss, heard by Patric Standford. '... a very fine performance by Joshua Pierce ...'

CD Spotlight. Powerful and Concise - Blomstedt conducts Richard Strauss, heard by Robert Anderson. '... a composer of infinite promise ...'

Ensemble. When God and Man Collide - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Salzburg Festival to investigate 'the downfall of the myth and the spirit of the music'

Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010

Ensemble. A Total Delight - The Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, heard by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Real Poise - Sinfonia Viva at the Buxton Festival, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. 'Alceste' in the Madhouse - Giuseppe Pennisi files his last report from the 2010 Aix-en-Provence Festival

Ensemble. Young Purity - A Covent Garden 'Salome' revival, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Opera in the Arena - Rebecca Schmid listens to Renée Fleming and the Berlin Philharmonic

Ensemble. Contemporary Resonance - Grange Park Opera's 'Capriccio', enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Profile. The State of the Art - Maria Nockin talks to soprano Christine Brewer

Ensemble. An Excellent Staging - 'Madama Butterfly' at Rome's Teatro dell'Opera, appreciated by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Cross Section - Bill Newman comments on some recent concerts at London's Wigmore Hall

Profile. Real Meaning - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham

Ensemble. Difficult to Forget - Richard Strauss' 'Die Frau ohne Schatten', enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Seething with Evil - Franz Schreker's 'Die Gezeichneten', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Highly-Charged - Joyce Yang, Edo de Waart and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, reviewed by Rebecca Schmid

Ensemble. Celebrating in Style - Derby Concert Orchestra's sixtieth birthday, with Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. White Hot Intensity - Renée Fleming and the Russian National Orchestra at the Festival of the Arts Boca 2010, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Shining Beauty - The current Italian season of Mozart's 'Idomeneo', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. A Spectral Atmosphere - Murray McLachlan plays music by Shostakovich and friends, recommended by Howard Smith. '... an outright triumph for the label and for McLachlan.'

Ensemble. Sheer Tension - The first performance of the unabridged 'Elektra' enthralls the audience, related by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Class Of Its Own - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Cleveland Orchestra

Ensemble. An Amazing Cast - New York Metropolitan Opera's 'Der Rosenkavalier' in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. Evident Delight - Puccini's 'La rondine', heard by Robert Anderson. '... exciting acrobatics ...'

Ensemble. Compelling Vocal Drama - Lawrence Budmen listens to Measha Brueggergosman and the New World Symphony

Ask Alice - The most beautiful sound in the world, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Magnificent Performances - 'Salome' from Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Panache and Authority - Orchestral music by Richard Strauss, reviewed by Gerald Fenech. '... highly recommended ...'

DVD Spotlight. Intensity and Concentration - Kurt Masur conducts Richard Strauss, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz. '... beautifully and confidently performed ...'

Timings - Universal Edition's preparations for the Mahler Centenary years (2010-2011), by Jennifer Paull

Ensemble. Expertly Structured - Mike Wheeler was at a song recital by Richard Roddis and Philip Robinson

Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton

Highly Articulate - American dramatic soprano Christine Brewer talks to Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Dream-Travelogue of Intoxification - David Wilkins attends a concert at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire

Ensemble. Unique Sonorities - Britten's Peter Grimes, heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Recovered Voices - Two operas in Los Angeles over the Easter weekend, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Real Barnburner - Another report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival, by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Profoundly Satisfying - Robert Hugill at English National Opera's 'Der Rosenkavalier'

Ensemble. Heartfelt Stuff - A concert by the Amici Ensemble, renjoyed by Howard Smith

CD Spotlight. Truly Invigorating - Opera fantasies for violin, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... engaging musical finesse.'

Ensemble. Genuine Appreciation - Robert Hugill at a concert by Londinium City Voices

Ensemble. 'Daphne' in the Desert - Karen Haid was in Santa Fe for the Richard Strauss one-act opera

DVD Spotlight. Happy Signposts - 'Die Frau ohne Schatten' from the Bavarian State Opera, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'It is evident that Sawallisch loves the work.'

DVD Spotlight. Global Society - Richard Strauss's 'Der Rosenkavalier', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The Viennese chorus and orchestra know this opera inside out ...'

Ensemble. Squeals of Delight - LA Opera's 'Hansel and Gretel', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Sparkle and Polish - Robin Zebaida plays piano rarities, enjoyed by Bill Newman. '... musical appeal is immediate.'

Ensemble. Dramatic Punch - Richard Strauss's 'Salomé', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Tanglewood and Beyond - The sounds of summer in the Berkshires, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Also Sprach Richard Strauss - 'An Alpine Symphony', enjoyed by George Balcombe. '... beguiling music.'

Record Box. Enterprising Recordings - Music for piano and orchestra, reviewed by Patric Standford

Ensemble. Emotional claustrophobia - A concert performance of Strauss's 'Salomé', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

DVD Spotlight. Radiant and subtle - Strauss's 'Capriccio', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... Renée Fleming ... (sang) like an angel throughout ...'

Giants? - Alistair Hinton replies to Patric Standford's latest Provocative Thoughts

Ensemble. A creditable performance - Richard Strauss's 'Salome' at English National Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Great music making - Cheers for a riveting Canadian dance company at Jacob's Pillow and more music from Tanglewood, reported by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. A versatile performer - Daphna Cohen-Licht's recital disc 'Emotional Turbulence', reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... Cohen-Licht gives full reign to the drama ...'

Record box. Exceptional skill - Music by Richard Strauss, reviewed by Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. Important revivals - Hindemith and Mahler played by members of the New World Symphony, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Compelling performances - Elgar's Cello Concerto enlivens an ambitious Festival Miami concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

CD Spotlight. Eupeptic verve - Viennese music played by the Bruckner Orchester Linz, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... enchanting freedom and flexibility ...'

Ensemble. Particular virtues - Richard Strauss's 'Ariadne auf Naxos' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Musically stunning - Richard Strauss's 'Arabella' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Laden with tension - Strauss's 'Elektra' in Cleveland last night, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz

Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - in the ear of the listener