Hans Werner Henze (born July 1, 1926 in Gütersloh, Westphalia, Germany) is a composer well known for his sometimes controversial political beliefs. He left Germany for Italy in the 1950s because of a perceived intolerance toward him as a homosexual. An avowed Marxist and member of the Italian Communist Party, Henze has produced compositions honoring Ho Chi Minh and Che Guevara. The librettist of his requiem for Che Guevara, titled Das Floss der Medusa (The Raft of Medusa), was among several people arrested at the 1968 Hamburg premiere for placing a red flag on the stage. Henze spent a year teaching in Cuba, though he later became disillusioned with Castro.
His music has incorporated neo-classicism, jazz, the twelve tone technique, serialism, and some rock or popular music.
References
Hans Werner Henze. (1998). Bohemian Fifths. An Autobiography. London (Faber & Faber)
Hans Werner Henze. (1998). Reiselieder mit böhmischen Quinten. Autobiographische Mitteilungen 1926 - 1995. Frankfurt (Fischer)
Hans Werner Henze: profile - composer New Statesman, June 21, 1996
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