DVD Review:
Strauss
Elektra
Eva Marton, Brigitte Fassbaender, Cheryl Studer, Franz Grundheber &
James King
Chorus & Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera, Claudio
Abbado
Arthaus Musik, 100048 109 minutes
Crotchet
It has always been a matter of some regret that Claudio Abbado has never
recorded Elektra commercially. For this is a great performance, one
of the finest you will ever hear with a near-perfect cast and playing by
the Vienna Philharmonic that is shattering. Very few conductors have matched
Abbado's vision (only Karajan, Kleiber and Böhm equal it) and even fewer
versions are as emotionally draining as this performance (only Karajan exceeds
Abbado's achievement). He secures not only a ravishing orchestral sound,
but singing of the very highest quality.
The triumph is Eva Marton's Elektra. I have never much warmed to Marton as
a singer, but here she is staggering. Her first monologue, Allein? Weh,
ganz allein, has all the power one could ask for - and her cries of
Agamemnon! Agamemnon! are deeply moving. The depth of tone is resplendent.
In fact, nothing about her assumption of this role is ordinary - the Recognition
Scene with Orestes is profound when most are perfunctory, and her systematic
torment of her mother, Klytaemnestra, is as unsettling as it should be. That
she has the vocal resources left for her final monologue, and her
totentanz, is a tribute to her stamina. The conclusion is just thrilling.
There are normally weak links in most recordings of Elektra, particularly
amongst the three female leads who dominate the action of the opera. This
recording is almost unique in having none. Carlos Kleiber's sensational
performance is let down by Gwyneth Jone's Chrysothemis, but Abbado's Cheryl
Studer evinces more of the vulnerability of the role, more of the innocence
and naivety of the part than almost any other. Moreover, her singing is just
a miracle of beauty. The role of Klytaemnestra requires an actress who can
convey the sheer evilness of this vile creation. Brigitte Fassbaender not
only looks the part (with her torso bejewelled, almost bent double under
the weight) and her face painted to look like a Greek death mask, but her
singing is just a sensation. The recounting of her nightmares is one of the
most unsettling you will hear. If there is a disappointment it must be that
her off stage screams as she is murdered by Orestes are barely audible (in
fact, the second scream doesn't seem to appear at all).
The production itself, by Harry Kupfer, is, I think, one of the finest this
opera has been given. Hans Schavernoch's stage design is darkness and turmoil
itself with the vast head of Agamemnon dominating the stage throughout the
entire course of the opera. It is perhaps a little too unremitting - the
overall textures are of darkness and barrenness (very rarely does light make
an appearance). The entry of Klytaemnestra's entourage, with burning torches
preceding her actual appearance, is a rare moment of drama from within the
darkness. Elektra is made to look more wretched than one can imagine - her
face pallid, her costume of a heavy overcoat a complete contrast to the
superficial gaudiness of Klytaemnestra who literally swims in jewellery.
Karajan himself never recorded this opera commercially saying it was one
of the works that left him completely physically and emotionally shattered.
Claudio Abbado's appearance on stage for his ovation shows a man almost on
the verge of collapse. The sense of exhaustion, the complete lack of expression
conveys a man almost alone in the world. It is, oddly, one of the most moving
parts of this production. He gets the wildest ovation, partly louder than
all the others to cover the boos from some members of the Viennese audience.
The sound is extraordinarily vivid, and subtitles can be selected or not
(I chose not to have them on view). With 29 cues, it is more generous than
in most CD releases of this opera.
This release is an essential purchase. It will certainly be one of my discs
of the year.
Reviewer
Marc Bridle
