Richard Strauss’s Elektra tells the story of the eponymous daughter of Agamemnon, determined to revenge herself on her murderous mother Klytämnestra. All alone – with the exception of her sister, Chrysothemis – in a palace of traitors, Elektra waits in vain for the return of her brother Orest, wondering if she will have to avenge her father unaided.
In the hands of conductor Karina Canellakis, Strauss’s score retains all of its punch and modernity. The stage is crammed with an extensive orchestra, and Canellakis directs every instrument with care and precision. It makes for a thrilling musical experience from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, from scenes of wistful dreaming to storming madness and murder.
Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s libretto’s is full of astonishing visions – plunging horses and bloody sacrifice seem to fill the stage. This is all the more impressive as this production is done in concert, with the singers confined to small areas either side of Canellakis, or relegated to the rear of the stage.
This has the unfortunate effect of rather stifling the performers. Pinned between the violins on one side and the conductor on the other, Ingela Brimberg’s Elektra is given no room to breathe, slightly lost among the crowd. More minor characters situated behind the orchestra occasionally struggle to make themselves heard over the roar of the percussion in front of them.
However, this is to take nothing away from the efforts of the singers. As Elektra, Brimberg delivers a pleasingly manic performance of a woman on, and then toppling over, the edge. She maintains an impressive energy and a lovely smoothness to her voice throughout the demanding role.
Bass Günther Groissböck – Orest – supplies power and richness, his first lines a striking contrast to the almost entirely female cast that has preceded him. Strongest of all though is Vida Miknevičiūtė as Chrysothemis. She brings a touching yearning to a character who just wants a normal life, and her voice rings out with complete clarity of word and emotion throughout this thrilling interpretation of Strauss’s brutal yet tender opera.
Performed at the Usher Hall on 23 August as part of the Edinburgh International Festival
Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes, no interval
Composer: Richard Strauss
Librettist: Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Conductor: Karina Canellakis
Cast includes: Elektra – Ingela Brimberg, Chrysothemis – Vida Miknevičiūtė, Klytämnestra – Karen Cargill, Orest – Günther Groissböck, Aegisth – John Daszak
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra