Richard Strauss - Music Quotes

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Conduct 'Salome' and 'Elektra' as if they were by Mendelssohn: fairy music.

Richard Strauss

Producers of opera nowadays usually make the mistake of translating each particular orchestral phrase into terms of a movement on the stage. In this matter one should proceed with a maximum of caution and good taste. There is no objection to bringing life to into the production by changes of position and new nuances of acting during repetitive passages of music, especially in arias. Preludes of one or two bars frequently, and especially in Mozart, clearly express some gesture on stage. But each trill on the flute does not represent a wink on the prima donna, nor every delayed chord on the strings a step or gesture. Whole passages, especially in the finales, are pure concert music and are best left undisturbed by play acting.

Richard Strauss

Remember you are making music not to amuse yourself but to delight the audience.

Richard Strauss