Elektra by the Royal Opera House - review

Christine Goerke inhabits the main role in this gripping production and is on glorious form.

A bit of art deco didn t matter at all with Christine Goerke on such glorious form BARDA A bit of art deco didn't matter at all with Christine Goerke on such glorious form [BARDA]

Your dad goes off to war and is murdered by your Mum and her new lover when he returns. Your brother flees and disappears. Mum and step-dad then keep you prisoner and make you live with the dogs. Brother returns and kills Mum and step-dad before you can do so yourself.

Now that's what I call a dysfunctional family, but it's all fairly typical of Greek myth in the days before social workers.

That, in a nutshell, is the plot of Richard Strauss's opera Elektra, which caused huge controversy when it was first produced in 1909.

Not only was it bloodier and more violent than European opera-goers were used to, but the music was seen as outrageously innovative and more attention-seeking than tuneful.

However, this revival of a production by Charles Edwards first seen at the Royal Opera House in 2003 at the Royal Opera House is outstanding.

The performance by American soprano Christine Goerke in the title role is totally riveting. The power of her voice is extraordinary, and the mad look in her eyes together with her generally dishevelled appearance make her really look the part.

christine goerke Richard Strauss's opera Elektra, which caused huge controversy when it was first produced [BRADA]

__BREAK1RIGHT__

She is on stage for almost all the opera and it is difficult to take one's eyes off her. She plays the part of a maltreated daughter set on vengeance with total commitment and the result is absolutely stunning.

Thanks to her strong voice, conductor Andris Nelsons can really let the orchestra rip and bring out the best in Strauss's powerful score. The Covent Garden orchestra, always excellent, are lifted to new heights, enabling the music to play a full part in conveying the drama as it ought to.  

I have never used the word 'visceral' before, because I have never been quite sure what the dictionary definition means when it says "appealing to the emotions rather than the intellect", but if anything was ever visceral, it was this performance of Strauss's music at the ROH.

christine georke If anything was ever visceral, it was this performance of Strauss's music at the ROH [BRADA]

Add to this fine performances by Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka as Elektra's sister Chrysothemis, and German mezzo-soprano Michaela Schuster as their mother Klytämnestra, throw in a perfectly judged and beautifully sung appearance by Scottish bass-baritone Iain Paterson as Elektra's brother Orest and it all adds up to a totally gripping evening.

My only slight reservation was in director Charles Edwards curious addition of 1920s art deco clothing and occasional design to the staging. I do not think this added anything to the portrayal of the ancient myth, though I must admit they make good use of an anachronistic revolving door. With Christine Goerke on such glorious form, however, a bit of art deco didn't matter at all.

 Verdict: 5/5 

Royal Opera House, (Tickets: (until October 12) www.roh.org.uk or 020 7304 4000)

Tickets available to buy at Express Theatre Tickets

__RELATEDPOSTS__
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?