Elektra (complete opera)
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RICHARD STRAUSS
Elektra (complete opera)
Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet, Angela Denoke, Dame Felicity Palmer, Matthias Goerne, London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev
[ LSO Live SACD / 2 Hybrid SACD ]
Release Date: Monday 2 July 2012
This item is currently out of stock. We expect to be able to supply it to you within 2 - 4 weeks from when you place your order.
Valery Gergiev conducts Strauss' 'Elektra', one of the most powerful operas in the repertoire, accompanied by a superlative cast. Premiered in 1910 at Covent Garden, under the baton of Sir Thomas Beecham, 'Elektra' showcases many, of what were at the time, modernist techniques such as dissonance, chromaticism and fluid tonality but also some of his finest writing. The one-act Greek tragedy was reconstructed by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, and his adapted text forms the libretto for the opera. The drama centres around Elektra and her determination to avenge her father's death. The themes of death, violence, sexual repression and revenge are omnipresent.
American soprano Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet is recognised as a leading force in German and contemporary music repertoire and a great singing actress.
Angela Denoke and Dame Felicity Palmer both possess outstanding pedigrees in Strauss' opera. They are joined by outstanding Lieder specialist Matthias Goerne, making one of his rare forays into operatic repertoire.
"one feels a distinct frisson with the arrival of Klytaemnestra...Caricature is totally eschewed; however tortured Klytaemnestra may be, Palmer maintains an innate regality in her vocal presence...[Goerne's] text is penetratingly delivered...Storey offers a heroic voice as Aegisthus, for a change, with all the notes truly sounded...One can tell that the LSO rejoices in playing this music...Any Elektra enthusiast will want to hear Goerne and the magnificent Palmer." (International Record Review)
"if vocal discipline is not Charbonnet's strong suit that may be a virtue in this role...It is difficult to find any faults in Felicity Palmer's classic Klytämnestra...she is always scrupulously musical and no thoughts of caricature invade one's attention...[Storey creates] an individual sound for the character of Ägisthus..[Goerne] falls not far short of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in establishing a dark, mysterious presence at his entry" (ClassicalSource.com)
"Gergiev grasps the Wagnerian intensity of the score, also capturing the Straussian extremist tendencies with thrilling impact. Thrusting playing by the LSO helps." (The Scotsman)
