[Met Performance] CID:256070



Elektra
Metropolitan Opera House, Tue, January 2, 1979




Elektra (56)
Richard Strauss | Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Elektra
Danica Mastilovic

Chrysothemis
Eva Marton

Klyt?mnestra
Mignon Dunn

Orest
Norman Bailey

Aegisth
Ragnar Ulfung

Overseer
Elizabeth Coss

Serving Woman
Batyah Godfrey Ben-David

Serving Woman
Shirley Love

Serving Woman
Ariel Bybee

Serving Woman
Loretta Di Franco

Serving Woman
Alma Jean Smith

Confidant
Suzanne Der Derian

Trainbearer
Linda Mays

Young Servant
Charles Anthony

Old Servant
Edward Ghazal

Guardian
John Cheek


Conductor
Erich Leinsdorf







Review 1:

Review of Robert Jacobson in Opera News

Strauss' tragedy (seen Jan. 2) has seen and heard more inspired days in recent times at the Met, for none of the principals measured up to previous interpreters. Erich Leinsdorf led an efficient, clear-cut, heartless reading - all stainless steel and Swiss watch movement, even through the recognition scene - at the same time creating such a wall of sound as to encourage his singers to sing as loudly as possible. To the tortured Elektra, Danica Mastilovic lent a hard tone that was often wobbly, edgy and astray from pitch, with little lyricism or vocal beauty, relying on harsh attacks and acting without subtlety; but she did have stamina and brute force to compensate. Her Mycenaean princess retained little nobility through dementia, alas. Eva Marton's Chrysothemis soared on top, her soprano having an interesting covered quality and strong projection, while she looked handsome. Mignon Dunn went through all the motions as the crazed Klyt?mnestra, but it was hard to believe her inner torture, since she appeared a kind of externalized, decaying Delilah. She did, however, vocalize it powerfully and richly. Norman Bailey's Orest spoke of nobility and sincerity, but his woolly baritone faded into the orchestral fabric, while Ragnar Ulfung's Aegisth is now agonizing to the ear.



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