At the outset of his career, Richard Strauss 'was, like many German composers of his generation, highly influenced by Richard Wagner, whose operas had made an enormous impression on rhe music world.
Strauss's first opera, Guntram (
https://rutr.life/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4332381 ), was practically an exercise in Wagnerian style.
lts 1894 premiere in Munich, however, was a grand fiasco, and Strauss took his hometown's rejection as an affront both to himself and to his idol.
His second operatic attempt, Feuersnot (Literally "fire-famine"), is an ironic, somewhat ribald riposte, in which Strauss appears to be trying to retaliate against the city that insulted him.
By 1901, however, Strauss was somewhat at odds with Wagner's ideas, and the score of Feuersnot is full of overtly Wagnerian touches and quotes that seem to parody, more than to honor, his predecessor.
The librettist for the opera was Ernst von Wolzogen, another Münchener, who had recently founded the Berlin 'Überbrettl' cabaret, for which Schoenberg would compose his Brettl-Lieder.
Based on an old Durch tale, Feuersnot is set in 12th-century Munich.
The story centers on Kunrad, a student of magic who is studying the teachings of an old wizard. (This is the first of many Strauss romantic baritones who appear to be a persona of the composer, while the wizard may be seen as Wagner.)
On the day of the summer solstice, Kunrad emerges from his Studies, sees and becomes smitten by Diemut, the beautiful and proper daughter of the Burgomaster.
He decides to abandon his books in favor of sensual pursuits, and in front of the whole town, steals a kiss from her.
The shocked girl runs home and locks herself in, while the townsfolk disperse to the Midsummer bonfire, which is distantly visible.
Left alone, Kunrad muses on fire, magic, and love; hearing a call from Diemut's balcony, he renews his wooing.
Diernut seerns to relent, and the two of them sing a rapturous duet.
She agrees to hoist him up to her balcony in a laundry basket, but spitefully leaves him hanging in midair, to the uproarious delight of the returning burghers.
