Hofmannsthal, Hugo von (1874-1929)

Austrian poet and dramatist. He published a few successful selections of verse under the pseudonym of Loris, and then turned to writing blank verse plays which heralded neo-Romanticism in German drama. Scripts founded upon the works of earlier authors include Elektra 1903 (from Sophocles) and Jedermann 1912 (from the morality play Everyman); original works include Christinas Heimreise 1911, Der Turm 1925, and the comedy Der Schwierige 1921.

He also furnished the libretti for several operas by Richard Strauss, including Elektra 1909, Der Rosenkavalier 1911, Ariadne auf Náxos 1912, and Die Frau ohne Schatten 1919, and helped Max Reinhardt to establish the Salzburg Festival.

Hofmannsthal was born in Vienna and educated at the university there. At an early age he began to write sensitive lyrics in the manner of the French Symbolists (see Symbolism), influenced by Rainer Maria Rilke and Stefan George, but before long his lyrical inspiration seemed to fail and he parted company with George's circle. His poetical works include Gestern 1891 and Der Tod des Tizian 1892.