Sir Thomas Beecham was a very fine overall conductor, but it's easy to forget how good he was at conducting opera. This performance proves that in spades. It doesn't hurt that he has a strong cast. Schlüter may be a little top-note challenged, but never does her voice sound wobbly or unpleasant. Just the opposite: her timbre is lovely and unforced, a rarity in this demanding role. She sings the top C in her first monologue, but ducks the second one in "Was bluten muss?" Allegedly Strauss was in attendance for these performances and there is no record of his protesting. Far from it: he was most enthusiastic about Schlüter and the entire cast.Welitsch sounds fresh and attractive as Chrysothemis and makes an appealing younger sister. I enjoyed her performance though her portrayal is rather generic. Höngen is a marvelous Klytemnestra, her contralto suiting the role to perfection. She makes Klytemnestra far more regal than we usually hear in other portrayals. Because these were concert performances she doesn't indulge in the hysterical laughter that normally concludes her big scene (nor does she speak the words "Lichter! Mehr Lichter" as written in the score). Whoever performs her offstage screams is much too young and sopranoish sounding. Schöffler brings great nobility to his brief role. Widdop sings Ägist's even briefer role accurately, but without much character. The supporting roles are all well performed. The sound is excellent and sounds pitched correctly.

This is a swift, dark and expressionistic performance, and one of the most exciting I’ve heard. Whilst the cast range from solid to stellar, the real star of the show is Thomas Beecham, who’s unfussy yet colourful conducting brings us a truly vital Electra that all Strauss fans should hear. Whilst the sound is okay, it is perfectly listenable and surprisingly good for 1947

An invaluable historical performance difficult to find on commercial cds.--and the only complete Strauss opera with Beecham.