at the hofoper mahler conducted many of the great operas, but not many new ones. he wanted to conduct richard strauss’s new opera "salomé", but the censors did not allow it to be performed. nevertheless, mahler’s years conducting in vienna were very important because he had many new ideas. through his wife he met many artists, especially those connected with the sezession movement. one of them, alfred roller, designed the sets for a new production of "tristan und isolde". he became mahler’s chief stage designer. at last mahler could work closely with someone who shared his views. they staged many operas together: "fideleo", "don giovanni ", "die entführung aus dem serail", "le nozze di figaro", "die zauberflöte" and "iphigénie en aulide".