Richard Strauss and his Heroines
Thomas von Steinaecker
The film “Richard Strauss and his Heroines” explores Strauss’ relationship to women. The primary focus lies on his attachment to Pauline, his wife of more than 55 years. Strauss experienced the most varied of epochs in German history, from the Empire to Nazi dictatorship and the post-war period. How did the image of women change in this time and what influence did it have on Strauss’ work? And above all: how did Strauss achieve to express the finest feminine feelings in his music?
Exploring these questions we meet Strauss’ last surviving grandchild who has first hand experience with the married life of his grandparents. Interviews with the great Strauss singers Brigitte Fassbaender, Renée Fleming, Dame Gwyneth Jones and Christa Ludwig who report on their famous Strauss roles, Rufus Wainwright, conductor Franz Welser-Möst and other Strauss experts lead us through the film.
“Richard Strauss and his Heroines” is the first filmed documentation about the unforgettable heroines created by Strauss and how they affected his life and his marriage.The film “Richard Strauss and his Heroines” explores Strauss’ relationship to women. The primary focus lies on his attachment to Pauline, his wife of more than 55 years. Strauss experienced the most varied of epochs in German history, from the Empire to Nazi dictatorship and the post-war period. How did the image of women change in this time and what influence did it have on Strauss’ work? And above all: how did Strauss achieve to express the finest feminine feelings in his music?
Exploring these questions we meet Strauss’ last surviving grandchild who has first hand experience with the married life of his grandparents. Interviews with the great Strauss singers Brigitte Fassbaender, Renée Fleming, Dame Gwyneth Jones and Christa Ludwig who report on their famous Strauss roles, Rufus Wainwright, conductor Franz Welser-Möst and other Strauss experts lead us through the film.
“Richard Strauss and his Heroines” is the first filmed documentation about the unforgettable heroines created by Strauss and how they affected his life and his marriage.
