DVD + Blu-Ray:
Strauss: Elektra from Salzburg Festival

In its 100th anniversary edition, the Salzburg Festival 2020 celebrates a real triumph with a mind-blowing new production of Elektra.

In its 100th anniversary edition, the Salzburg Festival celebrates a real triumph with a mind-blowing new production of Elektra, one of the most famous masterpieces of opera history by the two festival founders Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal. The Lithuanian soprano Ausrine Stundyte as vengeful and traumatized "Elektra" turns the opening of the Festival into a real knockout performance! Her sister "Chrysotemis" is sung by her compatriot Asmik Grigorian, who made her international breakthrough as acclaimed Salome at the 2018 Salzburg Festival, and whose performance once again draws the audience into spell.

Tanja Ariane Baumgartner as "Klytämnestra", Derek Welton as "Orest" and Michael Laurenz as "Ägisth" complete an ensemble of top-notch singers. The staging by Krzysztof Warlikowski of this work about matricide, obsession, revenge and physical degradation is a deep psychological study of a broken family. Franz Welser-Möst brings his trademark flair to the pit where the brilliantly effervescent and then again heartrendingly gentle playing Wiener Philharmoniker create gloriously exultant Strauss moments.

“To have chosen Elektra of all pieces, was audacious – and to have brought it off so well, triumphant.” The Times
“One Highlight of the centenary season.” The Telegraph

Original title Strauss: Elektra
Genre Opera
Recording location Salzburg Festival, Grosses Festspielhaus, August 2020
Duration 120 mins
Production Company A production of ORF and UNITEL in co-production with 3sat and ZDF/Arte in cooperation with Wiener Philharmoniker and Salzburg Festiva
Composer Richard Strauss
Orchestra / Band Wiener Philharmoniker
Conductor Franz Welser-Möst
Choir Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor
Chorus Master Ernst Raffelsberger
Stage Director Krzysztof Warlikowski
Soloist Ausrine Stundyte, Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, Asmik Grigorian, Michael Laurenz, Derek Welton