Richard Strauss Movies

This performance of the Richard Strauss opera Frau Ohne Schatten, recorded live and in high definition at the Wiener Philharmoniker, and features vocalists like Stephen Gould, Anne Schwanewilms, Michaela Schuster, and Wolfgang Koch in the leading roles. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

This program captures a live performance of the Richard Strauss opera Elektra, recorded with the Munchner Philharmoniker, under the unique direction of Herbert Wernicke. Some of the vocalists featured in the performance include Linda Watson, Jane Henschel, Manuela Uhl, and others. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

The Semperoper Dresden mounted this 2007 production of Richard Strauss's 1911 opera Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose) at the NHK Hall in Tokyo, Japan. As directed for the stage by Uwe Eric Laufenberg, it stars Anne Schwanewilms as Feldmarschallin Fürstin Werdenberg, Kurt Rydl as Baron Ochs auf Lerchenau, and Anke Vondung as Octavian. The Staatsopernchor Dresden (under the direction of chorus masters Ulrich Paetzholdt and Matthias Brauer) and the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (under the baton of Fabio Luisi) lend added musical support. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

This performance of Richard Strauss' opera Der Rosenkavalier features Nina Stemme, Alfred Muff, Vesselina Kasarova, and Malin Hartelius in major roles. The Zurich orchestra performers under the direction of conductor Franz Welser-Most. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

This 2004 production of Richard Strauss's three-act comic opera Der Rosenkavalier (1911) emerged from the efforts of the Grosses Festspielhaus Salzburg. It stars Adrianne Pieczonka as Feldmarschallin, Franz Hawlata as Baron Ochs, Angelika Kirchschlager as Octavian and Franz Grundheber as Faninal. The Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor and the Wiener Philharmoniker lend added musical support, with Rupert Huber serving as chorus master of the former and Semyon Bychkov conducting the latter. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Conducted by Sir Colin Davis, this production of composer Richard Strauss' classic opera features Susan Anthony, Iride Martinez, Jon Villars, Sophie Koch, and Friedrich-Wilhelm Junge. The story follows Ariadne, who, after being unceremoniously discarded by her lover, the hero Theseus, awaits her death on the island of Naxos. Through a series of extraordinary circumstances, Ariadne meets a suitable replacement for Theseus -- the god Bacchus, who persuades her to join him in the heavens. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Jeanne Labrune wrote and directed this French psychological drama that begins on a train when impoverished carpet salesman Samuel (Daniel Duval) eyes a sleeping woman, Muriel (Nathalie Baye), and peppers her with personal questions when she awakens. A successful screenwriter and novelist, Muriel has just been dropped by her older lover, so it's not long before Samuel becomes a presence in her polished Paris apartment, an arena for some intense sexual activities. Only problem -- as Muriel realizes the demented Samuel has drawn her into an abusive relationship, she is simultaneously attracted to him and frightened of him. The soundtrack features an excerpt from Philip Glass' opera Einstein on the Beach. Shown in competition at the 1998 Montreal Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Conductor Edward Downes leads The Royal Opera in Richard Strauss' one act drama in this performance offering libretto from Hedwig Lachmann's German translation of Oscar Wilde's original work. Peter Hall directs, and Maria Ewing, Michael Devlin, and Kenneth Riegel star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Ariadne auf Naxos begins with a lengthy prologue involving the premiere of an opera based on the story of Ariadne. A conflict develops when the opera's composer discovers that a frivolous comedy has been added to the bill after his new masterpiece. Tensions increase when it is decreed that, because of time restrictions, both pieces are to be performed together so that there will be time for a fireworks display afterward. The cast and creators struggle to quickly come up with a way of making this impossible situation work, and the opera begins in earnest. Ariadne, discarded by her lover Theseus, is on the island of Naxos, awaiting death. A troupe of comedians arrives and tries to entertain her, but her grief is too great. Zerbinetta, leader of the troupe, tries to persuade her that she is foolish to want death in such a manner, and Ariadne leaves her in anger. Zerbinetta and her pals then cavort about, with various ones vying for Zerbinetta's attention, which she eventually gives to Harlekin. Ariadne is then told that a ship is approach; assuming it is Hermes coming to take her to her death, she awaits it. However, it turns out to be Bacchus, a beautiful, young god whom Ariadne at first takes to be Theseus. Bacchus, struck by Ariadne's beauty, tells her who he really is and takes her with him to live in the heavens. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi