Strauss: Elektra (Marton, Fassbaender, Struder) [1989] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

Richard Strauss's wildest and most passionate opera gets an almost ideal performance in this 1989 production with three great female singers at the height of their powers. Marton is terrifyingly unreasonable as Elektra, determined to mourn her dead father in the face of her mother who had him killed, and to hope and pray for the vengeance that her brother will one day bring. Told he is dead, her emotional collapse is equally total, and her eventual self-destructive dance of triumph is a bittersweet ecstasy of anger and joy. Studer gives the sometimes underplayed role of the normal, compromising "feminine" sister the weight and sympathy Strauss intended it to have. Fassbaender is electric as Clytemnestra, collapsing under the weight of her guilt and paranoia, but still scarily sexy and regal in her manipulation of those around her. Abbado's conducting is electric--from the opening "Agamemnon" chords to the final dying fall of Elektra's dance, he never puts a foot wrong or misjudges the pacing of this most difficult of opera scores. The DVD has subtitles in English, German and French. --Roz Kaveney

Customer Reviews:

You must buy this DVD if you like Strauss.......2004-01-07

I was confused during the first 10 minutes but then I enjoyed (and understood) this opera. I felt in love with Eva Marton after watching this DVD. Furthermore, the wonderful Brigitte Fassbaender and Cheryl Studer are excellent. Buy it and enjoy it!

Wondrous musicmaking - Dodgy production.......2001-03-02

Don't be alarmed, it's supposed to be a 'dark story'. This a Vienna production for those with high visual acuity. Dimness aside this a DVD to thrill you, if you enjoy one of the most alarming operas written in the 20th century. For those who are unfamiliar with the tale it is a typical bloodthirsty Greek tragedy. Overall you will have no complaints about the singing, which is first class. The three leading ladies are well matched and all act with reasonable conviction. I have my personal doubts about Eva Marton's stage presence, but she has a wondeful voice for the role. However the last scene's dance is hardly death inducing, thanks largely to the fairly dire direction/production. Speaking about the production, well I'm afraid the loudness of the reception for the production team as they appear on stage for a bow speaks for itself. Prolonged booing, even by Viennese standards, says it all. It is not a production that instantly appeals, but do not let that detract from your enjoyment. Sonically, the orchestra appears a little recessed by Straussian norms. He, of course, once complained to the orchestra that they were not playing loudly enough, because he could still hear the singers. Not a problem here. All in all, just increase the brightness on your set, turn up the volume and hope the neighbours will enjoy it too!

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