Strauss's Elektra

Available for 25 days

Greek tragedy meets modern psychology in Richard Strauss’s audacious opera. Elektra is determined to avenge the murder of her father Agamemnon by her mother Klytämnestra – but will Klytämnestra destroy her first? Strauss evokes his characters’ larger-than-life emotions through massive orchestral forces and daring harmonies. Wild, violent episodes such as the epic confrontation between Elektra and her mother contrast with moments of exquisite tenderness, as when Agamemnon’s son Orest returns to this most dysfunctional of family homes. Karina Canellakis conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and an outstanding cast. Leading dramatic sopranos Ingela Bergman and Vida Miknevičiūtė perform the virtuoso roles of Elektra and Chrysothemis. In the ancient palace of Mycenae, the enslaved princess Elektra mourns her murdered father, Agamemnon, killed by her mother, Klytämnestra, and her mother's lover, Aegisth. Elektra lives only for revenge, obsessively communing with her father's spirit. Her gentler sister Chrysothemis yearns for a normal life and urges Elektra to overcome her hatred. Klytämnestra, tormented by nightmares, asks Elektra for a remedy; Elektra taunts her with riddles about death. Elektra’s brother, Orest, is falsely pronounced dead, only to appear in disguise. Elektra recognises him, and the siblings are reunited. Orest enters the palace and slays Klytämnestra. When Aegisth returns, he too is killed. Elektra, overwhelmed by the completion of the revenge, breaks into an ecstatic dance – and collapses dead. Presented by Kate Molleson and recorded at Edinburgh's Usher Hall on 23 August 2026. Richard Strauss: Elektra Elektra ….. Ingela Brimberg Chrysothemis ….. Vida Miknevičiūtė Klytämnestra ….. Karen Cargill Orest ….. Günther Groissböck Aegisth ….. John Daszak Orest's tutor ….. Barnaby Rea Young servant ….. Lucas van Lierop Old servant ….. Martin Snell An overseer ….. Lee Bisset First maid ….. Claudia Huckle Second maid ….. Maria Schellenberg Third maid & trainbearer of Klytämnestra ….. Lea Shaw Fourth maid & confidante of Klytämnestra ….. Eleanor Dennis Fifth maid ….. Emma Morwood BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Karina Canellakis (conductor) To listen on most smart speakers, just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Opera on 3".