Capriccio

In a solemn tempo with smooth string tones, songlike cantilenas and clear tonal harmonies, the Moonshine Music in Richard Strauss’s last opera Capriccio introduces the final scene in which the young duchess Madeleine has to make a difficult decision. Not only must she pass judgement on whether music or poetry is the predominant form of art, she must also choose between two suitors. Both the poet Olivier and the composer Flamand have fallen in love with her. This is reason enough to become lost in contemplation by moonlight.