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Hugo von Hoffmannsthal
Librettist
Biography
Austrian poet, dramatist and librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1874–1929) was one of the foremost writers in German of the early 20th century. His 23-year collaboration with composer Richard Strauss began in 1906 when Strauss adapted his 1903 play Elektra, and led to six original librettos including Der Rosenkavalier, Ariadne auf Naxos and Die Frau ohne Schatten.

Hofmannsthal was born in Vienna. As a boy he showed precocious literary gifts and by the age of 17 was renowned throughout German-speaking lands for his lyric poetry. He studied law in Vienna before devoting himself to literature. He emerged from a crisis in his mid-20s with a new belief in the possibilities of drama, combined with poetry and music, to serve a valuable role in society. This belief is evident in his librettos and in his greatest plays, including Jedermann (1912). He first approached Strauss in 1900 with a scenario for a ballet, Der Triumph der Zeit, but it was not until Elektra that their collaboration began; it would last until Hofmannsthal's death. In 1920 he and Strauss with Max Reinhardt founded the Salzburg Festival, where Jedermann continues to be performed every year.

Hofmannsthal's librettos (written exclusively for Strauss) share beautiful poetry, clarity of characterization and a far-reaching symbolism. His collaborations with Strauss are among the finest examples in opera's history of works in which text and music are of equal artistry.

Productions
Click company name to view productions details.
COMPANYTITLEDATES
Metropolitan OperaDie Frau ohne Schatten11/29/2024 - 12/19/2024
Santa Fe OperaDer Rosenkavalier7/20/2024 - 8/15/2024
Dallas OperaElektra2/9/2024 - 2/17/2024
San Francisco OperaDie Frau ohne Schatten6/4/2023 - 6/28/2023
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier3/27/2023 - 4/20/2023
Arizona OperaAriadne auf Naxos12/2/2022 - 12/11/2022
Washington National OperaElektra10/29/2022 - 11/12/2022
Lakes Area Music FestivalAriadne auf Naxos8/12/2022 - 8/14/2022
Metropolitan OperaElektra4/1/2022 - 4/20/2022
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos3/1/2022 - 3/17/2022
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier1/1/2020 - 12/28/2019
Minnesota OperaElektra10/5/2019 - 10/13/2019
Wolf Trap Opera CompanyAriadne auf Naxos7/19/2019 - 7/27/2019
Cincinnati OperaAriadne auf Naxos7/6/2019 - 7/14/2019
Odyssey OperaDie agyptische Helena4/19/2019 - 4/19/2019
Lyric Opera of ChicagoElektra2/2/2019 - 2/22/2019
Canadian Opera CompanyElektra1/26/2019 - 2/22/2019
San Francisco OperaArabella10/16/2018 - 11/3/2018
Santa Fe OperaAriadne auf Naxos7/28/2018 - 8/23/2018
Pittsburgh Festival OperaArabella7/20/2018 - 7/22/2018
Metropolitan OperaElektra3/1/2018 - 3/23/2018
Austin OperaAriadne auf Naxos1/27/2018 - 2/4/2018
Houston Grand OperaElektra1/19/2018 - 2/2/2018
Canadian Opera CompanyArabella10/5/2017 - 10/28/2017
Kentucky OperaAriadne auf Naxos9/15/2017 - 9/17/2017
San Francisco OperaElektra9/9/2017 - 9/27/2017
Berkshire Opera FestivalAriadne auf Naxos8/26/2017 - 9/1/2017
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier4/13/2017 - 5/13/2017
Edmonton OperaElektra3/11/2017 - 3/16/2017
Victory Hall OperaDer Rosenkavalier8/14/2016 - 8/20/2016
Opera Theatre of Saint LouisAriadne on Naxos6/5/2016 - 6/5/2016
Lyric Opera of ChicagoDer Rosenkavalier2/8/2016 - 3/13/2016
Opera Company of BrooklynElektra10/10/2015 - 10/10/2015
Minnesota OperaAriadne auf Naxos9/26/2015 - 10/4/2015
Festival OperaAriadne auf Naxos7/10/2015 - 7/12/2015
Seattle OperaAriadne auf Naxos5/2/2015 - 5/16/2015
Detroit OperaElektra10/10/2014 - 10/25/2014
Glimmerglass FestivalAriadne auf Naxos7/7/2014 - 8/23/2014
Pittsburgh Festival OperaAriadne on Naxos7/7/2014 - 7/26/2014
Metropolitan OperaArabella4/4/2014 - 4/24/2014
Opera PhiladelphiaAriadne auf Naxos3/3/2014 - 3/8/2014
Pacific Opera VictoriaAriadne auf Naxos2/2/2014 - 2/23/2014
Virginia OperaAriadne auf Naxos2/2/2014 - 2/23/2014
Minnesota OperaArabella11/11/2013 - 11/16/2013
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier11/11/2013 - 12/12/2013
Metropolitan OperaDie Frau ohne Schatten11/11/2013 - 11/25/2013
Cincinnati OperaDer Rosenkavalier6/27/2013 - 6/29/2013
Des Moines Metro OperaElektra6/6/2013 - 7/12/2013
St. Petersburg Opera CompanyAriadne auf Naxos5/31/2013 - 6/4/2013
Fort Worth OperaAriadne auf Naxos5/5/2013 - 5/12/2013
Lyric Opera of ChicagoElektra10/9/2012 - 10/29/2012
Santa Fe OperaArabella7/7/2012 - 8/23/2012
Lyric Opera of ChicagoAriadne auf Naxos11/22/2011 - 11/22/2011
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos5/5/2011 - 5/13/2011
Canadian Opera CompanyAriadne auf Naxos4/4/2011 - 5/29/2011
Houston Grand OperaAriadne auf Naxos4/4/2011 - 5/10/2011
San Diego Opera AssociationDer Rosenkavalier4/4/2011 - 4/12/2011
Seattle OperaAriadne auf Naxos4/3/2010 - 4/11/2010
Boston Lyric OperaAriadne auf Naxos3/3/2010 - 3/23/2010
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos2/2/2010 - 2/20/2010
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier1/1/2010 - 10/21/2009
Metropolitan OperaElektra12/12/2009 - 12/28/2009
Washington National OperaAriadne auf Naxos10/10/2009 - 11/12/2009
Indianapolis OperaAriadne auf Naxos10/4/2009 - 10/10/2009
Calgary Opera AssociationAriadne auf Naxos1/1/2009 - 2/6/2009
Seattle OperaElektra10/10/2008 - 11/11/2008
Washington National OperaElektra5/5/2008 - 5/29/2008
Opera AustraliaArabella4/4/2008 - 5/9/2008
Lyric Opera of ChicagoDie Frau ohne Schatten11/11/2007 - 12/19/2007
San Francisco OperaDer Rosenkavalier6/6/2007 - 7/7/2007
New National Theatre, TokyoDer Rosenkavalier6/6/2007 - 6/20/2007
Canadian Opera CompanyElektra4/4/2007 - 5/19/2007
Vancouver New MusicAriadne auf Naxos3/3/2007 - 3/10/2007
Metropolitan OperaDie agyptische Helena3/3/2007 - 4/7/2007
Utah Symphony | Utah OperaAriadne auf Naxos1/1/2007 - 1/21/2007
Seattle OperaDer Rosenkavalier8/8/2006 - 8/26/2006
Tulsa OperaAriadne auf Naxos2/1/2006 - 3/1/2006
Lyric Opera of ChicagoDer Rosenkavalier2/1/2006 - 3/11/2006
Dallas OperaAriadne auf Naxos1/6/2006 - 1/14/2006
Pittsburgh OperaAriadne auf Naxos10/1/2005 - 10/29/2005
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos9/1/2005 - 10/1/2005
Los Angeles OperaDer Rosenkavalier5/1/2005 - 6/1/2005
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier3/1/2005 - 4/1/2005
Austin OperaElektra1/1/2005 - 1/16/2005
Opéra de MontréalAriadne auf Naxos11/1/2004 - 11/16/2004
Buenos Aires LíricaAriadne auf Naxos11/1/2004 - 11/20/2004
New National Theatre, TokyoElektra11/1/2004 - 11/22/2004
Vancouver New MusicDer Rosenkavalier10/1/2004 - 10/22/2004
Los Angeles OperaAriadne auf Naxos9/1/2004 - 10/1/2004
Opera AustraliaDer Rosenkavalier9/1/2004 - 10/1/2004
Des Moines Metro OperaAriadne auf Naxos6/1/2004 - 7/1/2004
Los Angeles OperaDie Frau ohne Schatten2/2/2004 - 3/13/2004
Seattle OperaAriadne auf Naxos2/1/2004 - 3/1/2004
Academy of Vocal ArtsElektra2/1/2004 - 2/29/2004
Metropolitan OperaDie Frau ohne Schatten11/1/2003 - 12/1/2003
Opera PhiladelphiaAriadne auf Naxos4/4/2003 - 4/19/2003
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos3/3/2003 - 4/12/2003
Vancouver New MusicElektra3/3/2003 - 3/29/2003
Pittsburgh OperaElektra3/3/2003 - 3/23/2003
Sorg OperaAriadne auf Naxos2/2/2003 - 2/22/2003
New National Theatre, TokyoArabella1/31/2003 - 2/9/2003
New National Theatre, TokyoAriadne auf Naxos12/12/2002 - 12/16/2002
Opera AustraliaDer Rosenkavalier11/11/2002 - 11/26/2002
San Francisco OperaAriadne auf Naxos9/9/2002 - 9/29/2002
Metropolitan OperaElektra9/9/2002 - 12/20/2002
Opera AustraliaAriadne auf Naxos8/5/2002 - 8/13/2002
Summer Opera Theatre CompanyAriadne auf Naxos7/7/2002 - 7/21/2002
Cincinnati OperaElektra7/7/2002 - 7/20/2002
Florentine Opera CompanyDer Rosenkavalier5/25/2002 - 6/6/2002
Sarasota OperaAriadne auf Naxos3/3/2002 - 3/23/2002
Opera CarolinaDer Rosenkavalier1/31/2002 - 2/3/2002
Virginia OperaElektra1/1/2002 - 2/12/2002
Metropolitan OperaArabella11/11/2001 - 12/14/2001
Opera SaratogaAriadne auf Naxos7/7/2001 - 7/11/2001
Opera ColoradoAriadne auf Naxos4/28/2001 - 5/6/2001
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos4/4/2001 - 4/20/2001
Opera PacificDer Rosenkavalier4/4/2001 - 4/8/2001
New Orleans Opera AssociationAriadne auf Naxos3/3/2001 - 3/24/2001
Metropolitan OperaDie Frau ohne Schatten1/1/2001 - 12/26/2001
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier11/11/2000 - 11/28/2000
San Francisco OperaDer Rosenkavalier11/11/2000 - 12/12/2000
Baltimore Opera CompanyElektra11/11/2000 - 11/18/2000
Opera North (U.S.)Ariadne auf Naxos8/8/2000 - 8/26/2000
Chautauqua OperaAriadne auf Naxos7/7/2000 - 7/24/2000
Santa Fe OperaElektra7/7/2000 - 8/24/2000
Detroit OperaDer Rosenkavalier4/4/2000 - 4/30/2000
Minnesota OperaDer Rosenkavalier1/1/2000 - 1/30/2000
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier1/1/2000 - 2/10/2000
Santa Fe OperaAriadne auf Naxos7/7/1999 - 8/26/1999
Nashville OperaDer Rosenkavalier4/1/1999 - 4/13/1999
Pacific Opera VictoriaAriadne auf Naxos2/2/1999 - 2/27/1999
Hawai'i Opera TheatreElektra2/2/1999 - 2/16/1999
Metropolitan OperaElektra2/2/1999 - 3/4/1999
Lyric Opera of ChicagoAriadne auf Naxos10/10/1998 - 11/23/1998
San Francisco OperaArabella9/9/1998 - 10/10/1998
New National Theatre, TokyoArabella9/1/1998 - 9/23/1998
Houston Grand OperaArabella4/1/1998 - 5/1/1998
Opera BostonArabella3/15/1998 - 3/15/1998
San Francisco OperaElektra10/10/1997 - 11/12/1997
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos9/9/1997 - 10/16/1997
Seattle OperaDer Rosenkavalier8/8/1997 - 8/23/1997
Santa Fe OperaArabella7/7/1997 - 8/21/1997
Opera AustraliaAriadne auf Naxos1/1/1997 - 2/1/1997
Arizona OperaAriadne auf Naxos1/1/1997 - 1/25/1997
Dallas OperaDer Rosenkavalier1/1/1997 - 1/18/1997
Teatro Municipal De SantiagoElektra10/10/1996 - 11/11/1996
Opera AustraliaDie Frau ohne Schatten10/1/1996 - 10/25/1996
Canadian Opera CompanyElektra10/1/1996 - 10/19/1996
Atlanta OperaDer Rosenkavalier9/9/1996 - 9/21/1996
New York City OperaDer Rosenkavalier9/9/1996 - 9/28/1996
New York City OperaDer Rosenkavalier3/3/1996 - 3/30/1996
Seattle OperaElektra3/3/1996 - 3/27/1996
Florida Grand OperaAriadne auf Naxos1/1/1996 - 1/25/1996
Dallas OperaElektra1/1/1996 - 1/20/1996
Pittsburgh OperaDer Rosenkavalier11/7/1995 - 11/11/1995
Portland OperaDer Rosenkavalier11/6/1995 - 11/11/1995
Canadian Opera CompanyAriadne auf Naxos9/1/1995 - 10/1/1995
Houston Grand OperaDer Rosenkavalier4/1/1995 - 5/1/1995
Lyric Opera of Kansas CityAriadne auf Naxos3/1/1995 - 3/19/1995
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier2/1/1995 - 3/1/1995
Florentine Opera CompanyElektra11/1/1994 - 11/12/1994
Metropolitan OperaArabella10/1/1994 - 11/1/1994
New Orleans Opera AssociationElektra10/1/1994 - 10/28/1994
Los Angeles OperaElektra9/1/1994 - 9/23/1994
Glimmerglass FestivalAriadne auf Naxos7/1/1994 - 8/1/1994
Cincinnati OperaDer Rosenkavalier6/1/1994 - 7/1/1994
Los Angeles OperaDer Rosenkavalier5/1/1994 - 6/1/1994
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos4/1/1994 - 4/23/1994
Opera ColumbusAriadne auf Naxos4/1/1994 - 4/23/1994
Opera ColoradoDer Rosenkavalier4/1/1994 - 5/1/1994
Hawai'i Opera TheatreDer Rosenkavalier1/1/1994 - 2/1/1994
Metropolitan OperaElektra1/1/1994 - 4/1/1994
Los Angeles OperaDie Frau ohne Schatten10/1/1993 - 11/1/1993
Houston Grand OperaElektra10/1/1993 - 11/1/1993
San Francisco OperaDer Rosenkavalier6/1/1993 - 6/27/1993
Metropolitan OperaAriadne auf Naxos3/1/1993 - 4/1/1993
Metropolitan OperaDer Rosenkavalier2/1/1993 - 3/1/1993
Houston Grand OperaAriadne auf Naxos1/1/1993 - 2/1/1993
Los Angeles OperaAriadne auf Naxos12/1/1992 - 12/18/1992
Academy of Vocal ArtsAriadne auf Naxos11/1/1992 - 11/27/1992
Lyric Opera of ChicagoElektra9/3/1992 - 10/29/1992
Santa Fe OperaDer Rosenkavalier7/1/1992 - 8/1/1992
Des Moines Metro OperaDer Rosenkavalier6/1/1992 - 7/1/1992
Edmonton OperaAriadne auf Naxos3/1/1992 - 3/23/1992
Metropolitan OperaElektra3/1/1992 - 4/1/1992
Opera AustraliaDer Rosenkavalier1/1/1992 - 1/29/1992
San Diego Opera AssociationDer Rosenkavalier1/1/1992 - 1/29/1992
San Francisco OperaElektra11/1/1991 - 12/1/1991
Opera AustraliaDer Rosenkavalier9/1/1991 - 10/1/1991
Opera AustraliaElektra9/1/1991 - 9/21/1991
State Opera of South AustraliaElektra8/1/1991 - 8/20/1991
Opera Theatre of Saint LouisAriadne auf Naxos6/1/1991 - 6/21/1991
Artist Information

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