Elektra - Richard Strauss
Information about the opera Elektra by Richard Strauss, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Strauss's most powerful opera, based on the Greek tragedy by Sophocles, was considered shocking at the time, and contains some of his most moving orchestral music.
Recommended recordings on CD
Solti/Nilsson/Resnik (Decca 417 345-2)
One of the greatest recordings of this powerful work.
Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Georg Solti, 1967.
Cast: Birgit Nilsson (Elektra), Regina Resnik (Klytemnestra), Marie Collier (Chrysothemis), Gerhard Stolze (Aegisthus), Tom Krause (Orestes).
Decca 417 345-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Thielemann/Watson (Opus Arte OA 1046 D)
Recorded at the 2010 Baden-Baden Festival, it's a stark production with superb performances and music.
Vienna Philharmonic Chorus, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Christian Thielemann, 2010.
Cast: Linda Watson (Elektra).
Opus Arte OA 1046 D
Abbado/Marton/Fassbaender (Arthaus Musik 100 049)
A gripping, dark production with superb performances by Marton and Fassbaender.
Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, conducted by Claudio Abbado.
Cast: Eva Marton (Elektra), Brigitte Fassbaender (Klytemnestra), Cheryl Studer (Chrysothemis), James King (Aegisthus), Franz Grundheber (Orestes).
Arthaus Musik 100 049
Also included in the boxed set:
Magic Moments of Opera