How does Intermezzo draw on Richard Straussâs marriage to Pauline?
The opera Intermezzo (1918â1923) serves as a quasi-autobiographical work in which the primary characters are thinly disguised representations of Richard Strauss and his wife, Pauline.1
The narrative draws directly from their real-life marriage, reflecting the couple's distinct personalities and domestic dynamics. Pauline was known for her tempestuous, outspoken, and tactless nature, which stood in stark contrast to Straussâs own aloof and detached temperament. While their relationship was marked by these eccentricities and frequent anecdotes, it remained a strong and successful union that lasted 55 years. In Intermezzo, Strauss utilized these personal experiences to perfect his conversational melodic recitative, capturing the essence of their life together on stage.21