Elektra

Richard Strauss (1864–1949)

DESCRIPTION

Astrid Varnay is captured at the height of her vocal powers, delivering an Elektra that astonishes both in its disciplined control and its unrelenting dramatic force. The sheer abandon with which she unleashes torrents of sound and intensity raises questions about her decision to transition to mezzo-soprano only a few years later.

Hilde Zadek brings youthful vigor and gleaming top notes to Chrysothemis, while Jean Madeira's Klytämnestra is notable for its refusal to reduce the role to caricature. Instead, Madeira finds a thread of dignity within the character, ultimately portraying a woman emotionally shattered rather than merely depraved, thereby creating a sense of moral ambiguity when the character is murdered—a classic theme in all of Sophocles.

CAST

Elektra – Astrid Varnay
Chrysothemis – Hilde Zadek
Klytämnestra – Jean Madeira
Aegisth – Wilhelm Ernest
Orest – Randolphe Symonette
Pfleger des Orest – Helmut Fehn
Die Vertraute – Gertraud Aden
Die Schleppträgerin – Elisabeth Schwier
Ein junger Diener – Richard Van Vrooman
Ein alter Diener – Wilhelm Schaefer
Die Aufseherin – Anna Green
1. Magd – Maria von Ilosvay
2. Magd – Hanna Borisch
3. Magd – Louise Pearl
4. Magd – Elisabeth Schwarzenberg
5. Magd – Siff Pettersen

DETAILS

Location: Düsseldorf
Date: 1964
Conductor: Arnold Quennet
Catalogue Number: OD 12331-2
Label: Opera Depot
Number of Discs: 2
In Mono

BONUS

Astrid Varnay sings scenes from Elektra and Salome (Wien, 1951) conducted by Hermann Weigert.

BONUS