Richard Strauss Opera Elektra
Strauss's Music Drama of Vengeance in One Act
Elektra, a German tragic opera by Richard Strauss: opera plot synopsis, character description, and other Richard Strauss opera information.
Elektra, is a music drama in one act written in German. It is a tragic opera composed by Richard Strauss (1864-1949), around 1906-1908. Libretto is by Hugo von Hofmannsthal based on his play, after the tragedy by Sophocles. Elektra was first performed in Dresden, Semper Opernhaus, Dresden, January 25, 1909. Setting is Mycenae, courtyard of the royal palace, after the Trojan war.
Richard Strauss found a brilliant way to evoke the spirit of Agamemnon, slained by his wife and lover, and avenged by his daughter Elektra: in the opening bars, the orchestra alone heaves up the shattering sound of the name "Ag-a-mem-non" gripping us in the psychodrama.
The Main Characters in Elektra
- Elektra, daughter of Klytemnestra and murdered Agamemnon (dramatic soprano)
- Klytemnastra, mother of Elektra (mezzo-soprano)
- Chrysothemis, younger sister of Elektra (soprano)
- Orest, brother of Elektra (baritone)
- Aegisth, lover of Klytemnestra (tenor)
Plot Summary (Synopsis) of Elektra:
Act 1
The maid servants discuss among themselves the Elektra seems mad. For when alone, she invokes her father Agamemnon, slain by her mother, Queen Klytemnestra. Alone, Elekta wails "Agamemnon, Agamemnon, Wo bist du, Vater?" (Where are you father?) Elektra recalls the murder of her father by Klytemnestra. Asking for his father's help in her cries, she promises to dance before his tomb one his murder is avenged. Elektra seeks her sister's help Chrysothemis, but she doesn't want any part of it, and warns Elektra that the queen and her new husband, Aegish, mean to imprison her. Chrysothemis begs Elektra to forget her hatred so that both sisters may lead normal lives. Sound are heard with in. The queen has dreamed that her son Orest, was pursuing her.
Disgusted with her own infirmities and nightmares, Klytemnestra talks to Elektra. She confesses she is terrified and plagued by nightmares and asks what sacrifice will end her nightmares. Only one sacrifice will work, Elektra tells her: her mother's own death. She guesses that Klytemnestra is terrified at the thought of Orest's return.
News arrives of Orest's death. Elektra tells Chrysothemis they must now kill Aegisth and Klytemnestra themselves, but Chrysothemis once again refuses, not wanting to participate in any vengeance.
Elektra digs up the ground with which her father was murdered, but is interrupted by Orest, who at first she does not recognize. He says he has news for the queen of Orest's death. When Elektra gives her name, Orest confesses his own. Within the palace, Elektra hears her mother's screams. Elektra realizes that her brother Orest has killed their mother Klytemnestra, next, Orest kills Aegisth. Finally, Elektra has avenged her father's death.
The palace explodes, some rejoicing while others grieving.
As Elektra promised her father Agamemnon, she dances and dances. When she reaches her height of dancing, she falls to the ground, and dies.
Operas by Richard Strauss
- Salome 1905
- Elektra 1909
- Der Rosenkavalier 1911
- Arabella 1932
Suggested Recording
Elektra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir George solti/Birgit Nilsson etal.
Source:
Opera by Alan Riding and L.D. Downer, DK (2006)
