Emma Birski / OnP

Opera

Elektra

Richard Strauss

Opéra Bastille

from 10 May to 01 June 2022

1h40 no interval

Elektra

Opéra Bastille - from 10 May to 01 June 2022

Synopsis

“Over the course of a slow twilight”. Such was the stage direction which Hofmannsthal gave for a performance of Elektra, the one-act tragedy of unheard-of darkness and violence by Richard Strauss. It is also an expression often used to describe the waning days of the Austro- Hungarian Empire and cosmopolitan Europe, namely, the opening years of the 20th century. Everything in Robert Carsen’s production, from the shadow play and spectral apparitions to the choreography, contributes to the sense of impending doom. With its monumental orchestra and voices pushed to the limits, post-Wagnerism reaches its most extreme limits and ignites once and for all in Elektra.

Duration : 1h40 no interval

Language : German

Surtitle : French / English

  • Opening

  • First part 100 min

  • End

Show acts and characters

CHARACTERS

Electra: Daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, whose death she wishes to avenge. Sister to Chrysothemis and Orestes.
Clytemnestra: Mother of Electra, Chrysothemis and Orestes. Widow of Agamemnon, whom she murdered with her lover Aegisthus.
Chrysothemis: Daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon.
Orestes: Son of Clytemnestra, who chased him out of the family palace, and of Agamemnon, whose death he wishes to avenge.
Aegisthus: Clytemnestra’s new husband who murdered her first husband, Agamemnon.

In the courtyard of the palace of Mycenae, the servant girls comment on Electra’s behaviour since the death of her father. Only the youngest shows any trace of pity towards the princess. As every day, Electra invokes Agamemnon, remembers his murder and exults at the thought of vengeance. Chrysothemis, weary of a life where her femininity can find no fulfilment, warns her sister and urges her to flee before Clytemnestra and Aegisth throw her into a dungeon. On the approach of the queen, she takes her leave. Clytemnestra appears bedecked in jewels. She speaks to Electra of her search for a remedy to the nightmares that are haunting her nights. In muttered tones, Electra suggests a sacrifice in which the victim will be none other than Clytemnestra herself, killed by the hand of Orestes. The very mention of Orestes makes the queen tremble. Swept up in her own hatred, Electra predicts the queen’s demise by the very same axe that was used to kill Agamemnon. After a confidante whispers a few words in her ear, Clytemnestra goes back into the palace. A tearful Chrysothemis comes out and announces the death of Orestes, but Electra refuses to believe the news. Meanwhile, a servant demands a horse to ride out and inform Aegisth. Still determined, Electra decides to carry out the double crime with her sister. However, Chrysothemis, horrified, refuses and withdraws amid a barrage of Elektra’s curses. Resolute, Electra decides to act single‑handedly. While Electra looks for the axe, a stranger approaches. He tells her he must see Clytemnestra to bring her news of Orestes’ death. Pestered with questions, Electra tells the messenger her name. Faced with her evident pain, the stranger admits to her that Orestes is still alive. Several aged servants come and prostrate themselves at the feet of the young man, at which point Electra finally recognizes her brother. Their reunion – fuelled by a desire for vengeance – is interrupted by Orestes’ tutor. The hour has come and the two men enter the palace. Left alone, Electra, who was unable to give her brother the axe, champs at the bit like a captive beast. The silence is broken by a terrible cry from Clytemnestra. Electra calls on her brother to strike again. As the terrified servant girls flee, Aegisth arrives. Electra leads him into the palace where he in turn falls to Orestes. Chrysothemis appears and thanks the gods for Orestes’ return, but Electra can no longer hear. She begins to dance, then collapses and dies. Chrysothemis dashes towards the door calling Orestes’ name.

Artists

Opera in one act

Creative team

Cast

Orchestre et Choeurs de l’Opéra national de Paris

Media

  • Imaginary Elektra

    Imaginary Elektra

    Watch the video

  • Podcast Elektra

    Podcast Elektra

    Listen the podcast

  • Draw-me Elektra

    Draw-me Elektra

    Watch the video

Imaginary Elektra

Watch the video

A repertoire work narrated in a visual poem born of popular culture

1:10 min

Imaginary Elektra

By Octave

Elektra by Richard Strauss, from May 10th to June 1st 2022 at the Opera Bastille.

© Emilie Brouchon

Podcast Elektra

Listen the podcast

"Dance! Sing! 7 minutes at the Paris Opera" - by France Musique

Podcast Elektra

By Charlotte Landru-Chandès

"Dance! Sing! 7 minutes at the Paris Opera" offers original incursions into the season thanks to broadcasts produced by France Musique and the Paris Opera. For each opera or ballet production, Charlotte Landru-Chandès (opera) and Jean-Baptiste Urbain (dance), present the works and artists you are going to discover when you attend performances in our theatres.

Draw-me Elektra

Watch the video

Understand the plot in 1 minute

1:40 min

Draw-me Elektra

By Octave

“Over the course of a slow twilight”. Such was the stage direction which Hofmannsthal gave for a performance of Elektra, the one-act tragedy of unheard-of darkness and violence by Richard Strauss. It is also an expression often used to describe the waning days of the Austro- Hungarian Empire and cosmopolitan Europe, namely, the opening years of the 20th century. Everything in Robert Carsen’s production, from the shadow play and spectral apparitions to the choreography, contributes to the sense of impending doom. With its monumental orchestra and voices pushed to the limits, post-Wagnerism reaches its most extreme limits and ignites once and for all in Elektra.  

Playlist

  • [TRAILER] ELEKTRA by Richard Strauss
  • [EXTRAIT] ELEKTRA by Richard Strauss (Caroline Whisnant & Evgeny Nikitin)
  • [EXTRAIT] ELEKTRA by Richard Strauss (Waltraud Meier)
  • [EXTRAIT] ELEKTRA by Richard Strauss (Ricarda Merbeth & Caroline Whisnant)
  • [EXTRAIT] ELEKTRA by Richard Strauss
  • Elektra (saison 21/22) - Elektra (Christine Goerke) & Orest (Tomas Tomasson)

  • Elektra (saison 21/22) - Elektra (Christine Goerke)

  • Elektra (saison 21/22) - Elektra (Christine Goerke)

  • Elektra (saison 21/22)- Chrysothemis (Elza Van Den Heever) & Choeurs

  • Elektra (saison 21/22) - Chrysothemis (Elza Van Den Heever)

  • Elektra (saison 21/22) - Chrysothemis (Elza Van Den Heever) & Elektra (Christine Goerke)

  • Elektra (saison 21/22) - Elektra (Christine Goerke) & Chrysothemis (Elza Van Den Heever)

Access and services

Opéra Bastille

Place de la Bastille

75012 Paris

Public transport

Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)

Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Opéra Bastille 34, rue de Lyon 75012 Paris

Book your parking spot

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Opéra Bastille
  • Open 1h before performances and until performances end
  • Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82

Opéra Bastille

Place de la Bastille

75012 Paris

Public transport

Underground Bastille (lignes 1, 5 et 8), Gare de Lyon (RER)

Bus 29, 69, 76, 86, 87, 91, N01, N02, N11, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Opéra Bastille 34, rue de Lyon 75012 Paris

Book your parking spot

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Opéra Bastille
  • Open 1h before performances and until performances end
  • Get in from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 40 01 17 82

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