Richard Strauss Opera Controversy

Posted by Sarah Canice Funke Dec 9, 2006

Richard Strauss, composer of standard opera repertoire such as "Der Rosenkavalier" and "Elektra," made a deal with his librettist Austrian Hugo von Hofmannsthal regarding proper compensation for their collaboration. In exchange for full rights to the librettos, Strauss gave von Hofmannsthal a share in the royalties from performances of the opera. The agreement was further solidified in contracts Strauss made with von Hofmannsthal's heirs following the death of the librettist in 1929.

Somewhere along the line, the royalties stopped. Now von Hofmannsthal's heirs are in the beginning stages of a possible lawsuit against Strauss' heirs. The contracts do not specify a particular expiration date, so the Strauss heirs argue that the royalties should no longer apply to the libretto.

This case, if it comes to court, could raise interesting questions regarding the priority of words or music in an opera.