Strauss: Elektra Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet

• Richard Strauss (1864–1949): Elektra
• 1 Wo bleibt Elektra? (Magde) - Ich will vor ihr mich niederwerfen (Magde, Aufseherin) 06:09
• 2 Allein (Elektra) 08:55
• 3 Elektra! (Chrysothemis, Elektra) 02:46
• 4 Ich kann nicht sitzen und ins Dunkel starren (Chrysothemis, Elektra) 06:19
• 5 Was heulst du (Elektra, Chrysothemis) 02:05
• 6 Was willst du? Seht doch, dort! (Klytamnestra, Elektra, Die Vertraute, Die Schlepptragerin) 10:35
• 7 Ich habe keine guten Nachte (Klytamnestra, Elektra) 11:01
• 8 Was bluten muss (Elektra) 06:20
• 9 Orest ist tot (Chrysothemis, Elektra) 03:12
• 10 Platz da! (Junger und Alter Diener, Elektra, Chrysothemis) 02:59
• 11 Wie stark du bist (Elektra, Chrysothemis) 03:27
• 12 Von jetzt an will ich deine Schwester sein (Elektra, Chrysothemis) 04:50
• 13 Nun denn allein! (Elektra) 01:13
• 14 Was willst du, fremder Mensch? (Elektra, Orest) 08:29
• 15 Orest! (Elektra) - Verstehst du's, Bruder? (Elektra, Orest) 11:34
• 16 Seid ihr von Sinnen (Der Pfleger) - Ich habe ihm das Beil nicht geben konnen! (Elektra) - Es muss etwas geschehen sein (Chrysothemis, Magde) 04:00
• 17 He, Lichter (Aegisth, Elektra) 04:41
• 18 Agamemnon hort dich! (Elektra, Aegisth, Chrysothemis) 03:51
• 19 Wir sind bei den Gottern, wir Vollbringenden (Elektra, Chrysothemis) 05:56
• Total Runtime 01:48:22

Info for Strauss: Elektra

Valery Gergiev conducts Strauss’ 'Elektra', one of the most powerful operas in the repertoire, accompanied by a superlative cast. Premiered in 1910 at Covent Garden, under the baton of Sir Thomas Beecham, 'Elektra' showcases many, of what were at the time, modernist techniques such as dissonance, chromaticism and fluid tonality but also some of his finest writing. The one-act Greek tragedy was reconstructed by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, and his adapted text forms the libretto for the opera. The drama centres around Elektra and her determination to avenge her father’s death. The themes of death, violence, sexual repression and revenge are omnipresent.

American soprano Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet is recognised as a leading force in German and contemporary music repertoire and a great singing actress.

Angela Denoke and Dame Felicity Palmer both possess outstanding pedigrees in Strauss' opera. They are joined by outstanding Lieder specialist Matthias Goerne, making one of his rare forays into operatic repertoire.

“[Gergiev] conveys passions and tensions with compelling, sometimes deafening power...[Charbonnet is] strongly involved without, thankfully, overplaying the weirdness...[Palmer's Klytaemnestra is] the real star of this show, slicing through Gergiev's sound-wall with incisive diction and keen characterisation: she's neurotic, malevolent but far from the conventional Germanic witch. Ian Storey makes Aegisth's few lines at once fatuous and menacing.” (BBC Music Magazine)

“Gergiev has the LSO sailing through metre- and key-changes with almost effortless fluidity, and Strauss's dramaturgical acumen has never seemed clearer...Charbonnet generates plenty of manic excitement with her ultra-aggressive vibrato but...there are many signs of considerable theatrical intelligence; at times her conviction triumphs over her own voice...Goerne is the one vocal marvel here: his Orestes has nobility and morality” (Gramophone)

“one feels a distinct frisson with the arrival of Klytaemnestra...Caricature is totally eschewed; however tortured Klytaemnestra may be, Palmer maintains an innate regality in her vocal presence...[Goerne's] text is penetratingly delivered...Storey offers a heroic voice as Aegisthus, for a change, with all the notes truly sounded...One can tell that the LSO rejoices in playing this music...Any Elektra enthusiast will want to hear Goerne and the magnificent Palmer.” (International Record Review)

Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet (Elektra)
Angela Denoke (Chrysothemis)
Dame Felicity Palmer (Clytemnestra)
Matthias Goerne (Orestes)
Ian Storey (Aegisthus)
London Symphony Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Strauss: Elektra