Austrian poet and librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal's long collaboration with Strauss produced a series of superb works, starting with "Elektra" in 1909.

WSJ

Originally conceived by composer Richard Strauss and librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal as a blend of genres, the original, first staged in 1912, began with a ballet-spiced play, followed by a different version of the one-act opera.

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