Festspielhaus Baden-Baden: Strauss: Elektra

Richard Strauss’s Elektra was the sensation that ushered in modernity by at the same time popularizing it.  Heroes on the verge of madness, just what the audience loves! The world comes tumbling down upon us,  specifically here: the Straussian orchestra. No fewer than 111 musicians conjure up magic that carries the  singers and propels them forward: in our opera performance, legendary Wagner voices Nina Stemme in the title role  and Michaela Schuster as Clytemnestra, who offer up plenty of mother-daughter psychodrama. The  tempestuous duo is joined and brought down to earth by Elza van den Heever as Elektra's sister who  yearns for love.