Die Liebe der Danae

[Jaakko Keskinen]

One of Richard Strauss's unknown gems! Along with Salome and Elektra it is my favorite opera from him. Any fans?

[Sergeant Rock]

One of Richard Strauss's unknown gems!...Any fans?

That's the only Strauss opera I don't own    I suppose I should remedy that. Any recommendations?

Sarge

[ritter]

I haven't listened to this heitere Mythologie for quite a while (my relationship with Strauss is one of "ebb and flow"  , but since I enjoyed FroSch quite a bit recently, a new Strauss phase may be starting  ) . The opera has been trashed because Josef Gregor's libretto is not quite up to the standards set by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, but I find it perfectly serviceable. What I do recall finding really good is Act III, with a beautiful orchestral intrelude, followed by a touching monologue by Danae ("Wie umgibst du mich mit Frieden") and then Jupiter's closing scene. "Autumnal" Strauss at his best IMHO. Time to revisit this (I have the live recording of the posthumous world première under Clemens Krauss, and Leon Botstein's more recent effort on Telarc).

For those curious, here are the intrelude from Act III and Danae's monologue:
https://www.youtube.com/v/T8n_FQk_65k

[Jaakko Keskinen]

The recording I have been mostly listening to is Botstein's.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Btw, anyone get Wotan vibes from Jupiter? Plus self-identification possibly from Strauss with him?

Edit: Close to the end of the act III interlude there occurs a motive strikingly similar to Power of the Ring motive heard in Ring Cycle. Makes me think even more that Jupiter is kind of Strauss's own version of Wotan, who likewise grapples with the power of wealth.