Elektra w/ Christel Goltz, Leonie Rysanek & Jean Madeira

Elektra
Richard Strauss
 

Christel Goltz, Leonie Rysanek,
Jean Madeira, Hermann Uhde, Franz Klarwein
Karl Böhm

Bayerische Staatsoper, München
August 26, 1955

OD 10483-2

10483-2front.jpg

 
Sound Quality: ★★★★★

I was amazed when I learned of Christel Goltz' death last year.  Like many, I imagine, I was shocked that she was still alive (she made her operatic debut in 1935!)  This recording finds her twenty years after that debut.  I can only imagine that those two decades must have taken their toll on her middle voice but the top still had a lot of power calling to mind Marjorie Lawrence.  And she is not afraid of the occasional over the top histrionics that in other roles may be a bit much.  But hey, this is Elektra.  She is joined by a very young and even more exuberant Leonie Rysanek as Chrysothemis.  Her voice seemed to be boundless when she sang Strauss.  Jean Madeira sings Klytämnestra and is truly terrifying.  The sound is excellent.

Listen to a Sample below

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