Zemlinsky: Eine florentinische Tragödie

October 14th marks the 150th anniversary of composer Alexander von Zemlinsky. Close to Arnold Schoenberg, his music can be linked to the “decadent” side of the fin-de-siècle Viennese post romanticism, with rich harmonies and lush orchestration. Eine florentinische Tragödie, after Oscar Wilde, may be his masterpiece. It is an astounding one-act opera, fierce and cynical, in which lingers the shadow of Freud.

This recording comes from the splendid Zemlinsky collection by trailblazer conductor James Conlon and the Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, and its iconic artwork features drawings by Edmund Dulac.