Capriccio (Opera)

About

Capriccio is the final opera of German composer Richard Strauss, who premiered his capstone work in 1942. Despite never achieving the popularity of Strauss' earlier operas, Capriccio stands as perhaps the most representative of composer's late style. Subtitled "A Conversation Piece for Music," Strauss attempts to come to terms with the question of which is a greater art: music or poetry? Comprised of a rather simplistic plot involving a countess torn between two suitors, Capriccio epitomizes Strauss' use of cliches he observes in German aristocratic society in order to come to terms with much larger philosophical and aesthetic issues. Though being one of Strauss lesser performed opera, Capriccio is widely performed by opera houses throughout the world.