大象传媒

Ancient Greek tragedy combusts with early 20th-century expressionism as blood-soaked revenge drives Richard Strauss's compelling one-act masterpiece to its gripping conclusion.

Strauss based his opera on Sophocles鈥檚 play Electra. On returning from the Trojan War, King Agamemnon is murdered by his queen Klyt盲mnestra and her lover, his cousin Aegisth. Elektra, the queen's daughter, sends her brother Orest away for his own protection. The action begins a year later.

Determined to honour her father and longing to avenge his murder, Elektra becomes increasingly unkempt, desperate and unhinged. Her sister Chrysothemis wants to escape from the oppressive atmosphere of the palace. Elektra tells the now guilt-wracked Klyt盲mnestra that she will die a violent death, but then hears the devastating news that her brother Orest is dead. However, a mysterious stranger appears. Elektra is overjoyed when she recognises him as Orest, who then fulfils his destiny with the brutal murder first of Klyt盲mnestra and then Aegisth.

Antonio Pappano conducts a stellar international cast including Ausrine Stundyte in the title role and Karita Mattila as her murderous mother Klyt盲mnestra.

Recorded last month at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and introduced by Martin Handley, with contributions from Antonio Pappano and Karita Mattila.

Richard Strauss: Elektra

Elektra ..... Ausrine Stundyte (soprano)
Chrysothemis ..... Sara Jakubiak (soprano)
Klyt盲mnestra ..... Karita Mattila (mezzo-soprano)
Aegisth ..... Charles Workman (tenor)
Orest ..... 艁ukasz Goli艅ski (bass)
Orest's companion ..... Michael Mofidian (bass)
Young servant ..... Michael Gibson (tenor)
Old servant ..... Jeremy White (bass)
Overseer ..... Lee Bisset (soprano)
Maids ..... Noa Beinart (contralto), Veena Akama-Makia, Gabriel臈 Kup拧yt臈 (mezzo-sopranos), Ella Taylor, Valentina Pusk谩s (sopranos)
Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Antonio Pappano (conductor)

Read the full synopsis on the Royal Opera House website: https://bit.ly/42QzXk5