Strauss's Sinfonia Doméstica

BOX OFFICE OPENING – 2026_2027 SEASON

June 18-21: Exclusively for CCB Card holders

From June 22 onwards: General public

The Sinfonia Doméstica, Op. 53 is a singular composition by Richard Strauss. The idea of composing a symphonic poem based on elements of everyday life, particularly centred on his family, reflects his vision of life during this period.

Family represented, for Strauss, an important pillar, namely his wife Pauline, whom he married in 1894, and his son, Franz, who was born three years later, in 1897. The choice of programme, though "domestic", points to this period of family stability; thus, the musical themes allude to the figure of the husband, the wife and the son. The composer completed the work in 1903, shortly before embarking on his tour of the United States of America. The work premiered on 21 March 1904 at Carnegie Hall in New York, performed by the Wetzler Symphony Orchestra. In Vienna, the same year, the premiere was conducted by Gustav Mahler. Despite being well received, the "family" theme generated some criticism.

The work Four Last Songs, of great emotional intensity, was composed in 1948, constituting one of his final endeavours. Revealing his musical fulfilment, it premiered in 1950 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Pre-concert conversation 30 minutes before.

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