Andrian came from the Andrian-Werburg noble family. He was a grandson of the German Jewish opera composer
Giacomo Meyerbeer and the brother of
psychologist Gabriele von Wartensleben (1870-1953). Amongst his friends were
Arthur Schnitzler,
Stefan George and
Hugo von Hofmannsthal. After studying Law he began a diplomatic career in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Austria-Hungary. He became an expert for
Russia and
Poland and a close advisor of minister
Count Leopold Berchtold. In Berchtold's order Andrian outlined the war aims of the
Habsburg monarchy at the beginning of
World War I. After the war he worked for the
Burgtheater in Vienna and the
Salzburg Festival. He wrote especially lyrics in the style
Symbolism and
Impressionism. == Works ==