Strauss

Elektra (poor sound)

Nilsson, Dernesch, Resnik, McIntyre, Craig; Solti
London, 1972

Regular price $17.95
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Elektra

So as not to deceive my beloved customers, I will lead with the fact that the quality of this recording is not very good (see the sample below.) That said, if you love this opera as well as excellent singing and excellent conducting then this might be worth your while. Georg Solti created a legendary recording of this opera with Birgit Nilsson and Regina Resnik who also join him in this performance. As red-hot as that recording was, unfettered by the logistical concerns of recording schedules and multiple takes, this performance is even more “electrifying.” He pushes the tempi even further in this performance whipping the players of Covent Garden into a frenzy. Birgit Nilsson sings the title role, harnessing all of the character’s single-minded vengeance and channeling it in the form of gleaming high notes that must have been deafening in the house. Regina Resnik, no stranger to the role of Klytämnestra, displays a woman who is both broken yet hasn’t forgotten that she is still queen. Helga Dernesch is an interesting addition as Chrysothemis and although the role may be slightly out of her comfort zone, she manages the most challenging moments intelligently and never sacrifices any of the unique color of her instrument. Charles Craig almost sounds too beautiful for the role of Ägisth, and Donald McIntyre is in excellent voice as Orest.

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Customer Reviews

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2.5 Based on 4 reviews
5 ★ 0
4 ★ 2
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2 ★ 0
1 ★ 2
Janice H.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

Sadly, unlistenable

yes, I was warned that the quality of this recording was poor, and I am very appreciative of that. I thought I would be able to get some pleasure out of it nevertheless, but for me, it was unlistenable. After about 10 minutes, I just gave up. Too bad, because it is a wonderful performance… I think.
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Exciting Performance, Mediocre Sound!

Perhaps because we are warned up front about the poor sound, I was expecting this performance to be, sonically anyway, much worse than it actually was. To be sure, it's muddy and there is a weird scraping noise in the background almost throughout, but it never gets in the way of the music and the performance is terrific.Nilsson is Nilsson and that makes up for a lot. Some of the details of Resnik's characterization get lost in the sonic ether, but enough remains that one can understand her prominence in the role (she does her own offstage screams too.) Dernesch wouldn't be my first go-to for Chrysothemis, but in the event she's excellent with more room at the top than I would've thought. McIntyre and Craig are first-rate as are the Serving Women and their Overseer. Solti's conducting is more of a piece in the house without all the stops and starts of the recording studio.Of course this can't be anyone's first or only Elektra (the sound precludes that), but anyone who knows the opera well
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Continued From Below

Of course this shouldn't be anyone's first or only Elektra (the sound precludes that), but anyone who knows the opera well or is interested in the cast will find enough here to enjoy.
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James M.✓ Verified Buyer

United Kingdom

Overall rating

Great performance, horrible sound.

I saw most of these performances and they were mind blowing. The sound here is really bad but you get the essence of what you heard in the theater. I don't understand the price for such a badly recorded performance when Ariadne auf Naxos with Amara from Glydebourne isn't quite as bad but is half the price.
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