Unfortunately the fidelity is lousy. The 3 ladies are recognizable, just. Ericson and Lindholm transcend the boomy sound with their extraordinary ability to convey vocal intensity and tonal beauty against great odds.Nilsson's Elektra reminds me of Flagstad's Brünnhilde at La Scala in 1953, her golden tones cutting through the terrible recording when none of her excellent colleagues could manage not lose themselves in the murky ambiance. A terrible tease, this Elektra. Perhaps Sterling cds should remaster this, something they did so beautifully with Kobukar's Salome with Laila Andersson-Palme's great assumption of the title role.If you want Nilsson's pre-Solti Elektra you can find it, if you are intrepid, her first Vienna outing in 1965 with Böhm, Rysanek, Resnick and Waechter.I will keep this document, until a remastered version appears. All thanks to Opera Depot for providing this tantalizing clue to a great performance deserving of exhumation.

Very good performance!

I don't know whether or not this was Nilsson's very first Elektra or if it's just a performance from her first run in the role. She understandably chose a house where she was very comfortable to try out this difficult role and the Royal Swedish Opera gave her excellent colleagues to heighten the occasion.She is incredibly secure vocally; there's nothing in the score the fazes her. The two top C's shine like beacons of light in a storm, the tricky intervals sung with unerring confidence. Nilsson already has a solid grasp of the character; she would become more specific with later performances. Lindholm is a fine contrast to her as Chrysothemis - not as neurotic or blazing as Rysanek, but singing with accurate musicianship and great involvement. Ericson sings Klytemnestra with beautiful tone and lots of extra-musical noises that highlight her character's fear and decay. The offstage screams are blood-curdling though I don't know whether or notEricson does them herself. Saeden and Jehrlander are first-rate in the small, but important roles of Orest and Aegisth. The rest of the cast (unlisted) is very impressive. Klobucar leads a taut, effective performance.The sound is a little muffled, there are some occasional bursts of static, and short breaks where someone may have had to turn over the tape. But none of these minor faults prevent one from enjoying the performance.If you love Nilsson, you should have this in your collection!