Elektra - The Royal Opera

The last time I saw Elektra at the Royal Opera House it had the wonderful Eva Marton in the title role.  I also remember the walls of the set oozing 'blood'.   That, however, was a very long time ago.

Whilst this is not a new production to the Opera House <http://roh.org.uk> , it is new to me.  I wasn't moved either way by the set or the costumes - vaguely modern with classical overtones.

I had forgotten that this really is an opera about women, whilst there are a few men (the odd servant, Orest, Orest's companion, Ägisth), it is the women who inhabit the stage for the whole performance - in particular Elektra.  To sustain the title role you need stamina and a big voice - Christine Goerke has (by the bucket load!).  Not only was her singing exceptional, she could also act!  Her performance was thrilling and worthy of the tumultuous applause at the curtain.

Let us not ignore Adrianne Pieczonka as Elektra's sister, Chrysothemis.  She too gave a magnificent performance.  Michaela Schuster as Klytämnestra, their mother, completed this splendid trio of voices.

Ms Goerke must have been drained by the performance - I certainly was!