Excellent sound and excelente performance

This 1971 RAI concert performance found Nilsson in excellent voice with a more developed, specific sense of character than she had a few years earlier. In a word, she is stunning. The other singers are at her level. Bjoner is steadier of voice than she could be and makes a welcome contrast to Nilsson's intensity. Cortez sings Klytemnestra so beautifully it's easy to forget that this role is usually sung by singers long past their vocal primes. One easily believes that this Klytemnestra was a regal queen who ruled happily until everything fell apart with all that Agamemnon business. Cortez doesn't indulge in any hysterical laughter, probably because this was a concert performance. Hofmannstahl's stage directions don't call for it anyway. Her offstage screams are very effective (the second one arrives a tad late); it sounds like it could have been Cortez herself, but I don't know for sure. Stewart is a terrific Orest and Callio actually sings Aegisth instead of screaming him. A tenor named Sinimberghi is a very good Young Servant (he sang Ismaele to Callas' Abigaille back in 1949); the serving women, one of whom doubles as the Overseer, get the performance off to a great start. Sawallisch conducts superbly; RAI was very fortunate to get him.The sound is excellent. There is a minor glitch during Aegisth's death scene where there are some weird pauses, but it doesn't last long.All Elektra fans should hear this performance!

I coincidentally discovered your cd-company and I must confess that I'm absolutely excited about your offers. Thank you for this positive transaction!!

Electra is today one of Strauss' most popular operas although it was not initially well received. It is a voice killer for the soprano singing Electra, the music elemental and exciting as if there is no structural filter between the emotions and the music. A short opera in seven scenes, Straussian lyricism arrives only in the sixth scene with Elektra's recognition of Orestes. The Elekta here is Birgit Nilsson, her phenomenal tireless voice, silver and pure soaring above the orchestra. Her Klytamnestra is the wonderful mezzo Vioica Cortez, powerful and dynamic, her German incisive and cleanily articulated. Her scene with Nilsson is magnificent. In this company Ingrid Bjoner's lighter toned and vulnerable sounding Chrysothemis is a bonus.The sound of this concert performance is excellent - a couple of startling moments of drop out not withstanding.