von Hofmannsthal, Hugo

von Hofmannstal was born into a wealthy family. He grew up in Vienna and published his first poetry aged sixteen under the pseudonym Loris. He briefly served in the army before returning to Vienna, where he studied Romanesque literature. As a young man, he made the acquaintance of Stefan Zweig and Arthur Schnitzler. He achieved fame as a poet and libettist, working principally with Richard Strauss. He created the Salzburg festival with Max Reinhardt.