Born in Munich on June 11, 1864;
Died in West Germany on September 8, 1949

Richard Strauss rose to prominence at the turn of the 20th century as one of the most influential composers and conductors in Germany. His career spanned a period of immense artistic and political change, and his work often pushed the boundaries of orchestral colour, harmony, and dramatic expression. Strauss achieved early success with his tone poems, but it was his operas—many created in collaboration with librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal—that secured his international reputation. His later years were shaped by the upheavals of two world wars, during which he navigated a complex and often controversial relationship with the cultural politics of Nazi Germany.

Regardless of these challenges, Strauss composed a body of work that remains central to the operatic and orchestral repertoire. His operas include Salome, Elektra, Der Rosenkavalier, Ariadne auf Naxos, and Die Frau ohne Schatten, while works such as Also sprach Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben showcase his mastery of the orchestra. In his final years, Strauss returned to a more reflective style, culminating in the Four Last Songs. He is remembered as a composer who bridged Romanticism and modernism, leaving an enduring mark on 20th-century music.