Minnesota Orchestra: Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben

Richard Strauss’ epic tone poem Ein Heldenleben contains all the vivid theatricality of an opera, telling the story of a hero, his companion, his struggles and his ultimate fulfillment. Of note are the sweeping hero’s theme, introduced by horns, and the virtuosic violin lines that represent the hero’s lover—an idealized version of Strauss’ wife. Thomas Søndergård led the Minnesota Orchestra in a performance of Richard Strauss’ tone poem, Ein Heldenleben, on December 3, 2021.