Death of Hans Werner Henze

Prowling through Facebook tonight I discovered the news that Hans Werner Henze has died today.  It always gives me pause when a prestigious composer passes away, especially one whose music has touched you.  To be truthful I don't know a lot of Henze's music.  I know of him more by reputation than anything else.  That being said what music I have heard has stayed with me most of all his opera Venus und Adonis.  Trish and I saw it in 2001 performed by the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto.  It was one of those events that stays with you for the rest of your life.  I couldn't relate the plot to you, but the music, visuals and costumes were astounding.  The actors/dancers on stilts portraying the mating stag and doe are but one example.  While it sounds outlandish in print it was mesmerizing and beautiful to see.  Total theatre.  Trish still talks about the performance to this day.