Secret Matters – Letters Between Strauss and Zweig: Letters Between Strauss and Zweig

Author: Stefan Zweig
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-07-01
Features: The start and end dates of the correspondence in the letter collection are from October 29, 1931, to December 1935, totaling 125 letters over more than four years. This is a heartfelt exchange between two exceptionally talented, wise, well-read, and expressive artists. They mostly discussed the creative issues of Strauss's opera libretti—such as themes, language, plot, music, action, and even trivial matters like scenery, theater, audience, and ticket prices. The composer and the opera librettist inspired and frankly communicated with each other, seeking consensus, while their mutual admiration and the excitement of joyful collaboration occasionally spilled over into their letters. Over the four years of collaboration, they discussed 18 different topics, with two-thirds of the suggestions coming from Zweig. Strauss believed he had finally found a partner who could rival Hofmannsthal in wisdom, dramatic sense, and literary talent; Zweig also experienced "indescribable joy" during this "honeymoon" phase of collaboration. They could have created even more beloved works, but they were driven to despair by the political clouds and ultimately had to part ways, leaving much to ponder.