Composer Richard Strauss and his wife, Pauline, were married for about 55 years. She was an operatic Soprano, and he wrote many songs for her.
Most of these songs were highly emotional, and dealt with love and loss, and more love.
Often the lyrics were very powerful, and were mirrored in emotional outbursts tied directly to the words.
Here is Soprano Wendeline van Houten to show you how it sounds under the watchful eyes of singer Christa Ludwig.
