R. Strauss. Photographic portrait of the composer, 1944

Richard Strauss

Photographic portrait of the composer, signed ("DrRichard Strauss")

showing the composer in old age apparently looking at a score, signed and dated below the image, Vienna, 11 June 1944

A classic image of the composer in old age. The photograph was signed and dated by Strauss on his eightieth birthday, 11 June 1944, on which day Karl Böhm conducted the Vienna State Opera in a performance of Ariadne auf Naxos. The Nazis had originally intended to deny Germany's most famous living composer any birthday celebrations as a punishment for his attempts to protect his Jewish family members, although they later relented, fearing negative propaganda. Böhm's performance of Ariadne was captured in a famous recording, in which it is evident that Strauss's presence that night drew from the singers everything they had to give.