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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This classic recording of Strauss' most harmonically-adventurous opera has become the benchmark agaianst which later versions can be measured. Decca assembled an ideal cast: for the two sisters, Nilsson, in her vocal prime as Elektra, obsessed in her quest to avenge the murder of her father Agamemnon, and the Australian soprano Marie Collier (whose career was tragically cut short) as the more vulnerable younger sister who does not share her sister's obsession and merely wishes for a normal life. But both must give way to Regina Resnik's chilling portrayal of the tormented Queen Klytemnestra, assailed by nightmares and dread images. John Culshaw's production of the scene between Elektra and her mother - which has so impressed Amazon reviewers of another issue of this Solti set - is one of the great moments in recorded opera. Once heard, never forgotten. Strauss' men play small parts as compared with their dominant womenfolk, but Tom Krause's Orest has his moment at the emotional high point of the opera, the recognition scene with Elektra, where Nilsson demonstrates her ability to sing softly. Aegith's role is even slighter, as befits his insignificance: the talented character tenor Stoltze has literally seconds to convey this insignificance.
Strauss was fortunate in his librettist Hugo von Hoffmansthal who produced a text that summons up the murky world of Sophocles' ancient Greece, and makes skilful use of irony to develop the characters and move the drama forward to the ultimate act of vengeance. The result is an engrossing experience, enriched by fine soloists and a good supporting cast with many leading singers from the 1960s and 70s, and Georg Solti and the VPO in top form.
A 'must' for any followers of modern opera, which stands next to that other dark jewel in the Decca/Solti/Culshaw crown, 'Salome'.
Strauss was fortunate in his librettist Hugo von Hoffmansthal who produced a text that summons up the murky world of Sophocles' ancient Greece, and makes skilful use of irony to develop the characters and move the drama forward to the ultimate act of vengeance. The result is an engrossing experience, enriched by fine soloists and a good supporting cast with many leading singers from the 1960s and 70s, and Georg Solti and the VPO in top form.
A 'must' for any followers of modern opera, which stands next to that other dark jewel in the Decca/Solti/Culshaw crown, 'Salome'.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
To my meaning, this recording cannot be bettered. It captured all main singers at the absolute hight of their powers. Nilsson in unapproachable in the title role, Resnik does not fall into the trap of overacting and Marie Collier is a very sympathetic Chrysotemis. By the way she jumped in for Berit Lindholm who should have sung Elektra's sister, but cancelled as she thought she still had too little experience, having sung the role only a couple of times. The men are imposing too. Solti has every single note and bar in his hand and the playing of the Vienna Philharmonic is overwhelming. So is the sound. First choice!
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a landmark recording of one of Richard Strauss's greatest operas with the best artists and orchestra of the day. Birgit Nilsson was the finest singer of Strauss and Wagner of the time; Gerhard Stolze a wonderful actor-singer and the Vienna Philharmonic under Georg Solti was recognised as at the forefront of German Romantic music.
I would recommend to new recruits to Richard Strauss to start with his tone poems before moving onto the operas of Salome, Elektra and Der Rosenkavelier and by then they will be ready for anything he wrote!
I would recommend to new recruits to Richard Strauss to start with his tone poems before moving onto the operas of Salome, Elektra and Der Rosenkavelier and by then they will be ready for anything he wrote!
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