Elektra

Elektra is about the struggle for power and the rebellion of the younger generation. In the aftermath of the Trojan War, we find ourselves in the midst of the internal power struggle in the family of one of the main combatants.

The catalyst for the story is the murder of Agamemnon, the king of the Atrides, by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aigisthos. One of Agamemnon's daughters, Elektra, is out for all-encompassing revenge and sacrifices everything to this end. Once she has accomplished her mission, she no longer has any reason to live.

Elektra also signalled the start of the brilliant collaboration between the Viennese literary god Hugo von Hofmannsthal and the German composer Richard Strauss. Here Strauss experiments to the full with classic musical techniques and uses an idiom that borders on atonality. The grand orchestral sound is used in a virtuoso, innovative and colourful way to shape this explosion in modern musical drama. Director David Bösch is making his debut in our country with this haunting tragedy.

Iréne Theorin sings the title role and Ausrine Stundyte plays her sister, Chrysothemis. Following his compelling Der Rosenkavalier, chief conductor Dmitri Jurowski once again plunges into the world of Richard Strauss.

Coproduction with Aalto Theater Essen

ca. 1 h 45 min, without breaks

Free introduction 45 minuten before the performance (in Dutch).
Elektra will be broadcast on Klara radio on 18 Oct 8 pm.