Richard Strauss - Elektra / James Levine, Birgit Nilsson, Leonie Rysanek, MET [DVD]

The characters of Greek mythology remain as moving to us today as they were to the first audiences who heard them thousands of years ago. In one sweeping act, composer Richard Strauss has brilliantly transformed the story of the violent revenge of Elektra, mourning the murder of her father by his wife and her lover, into a vivid and emotionally compelling score. This Metropolitan Opera production makes available one of the rare performances on DVD of Brigit Nilsson in one of her signature roles. ".... Miss Nilsson quickly establishes her legendary control.... And by the end...there can be no doubting that her vocal powers are as glorious as ever." "What makes the performance even more impressive is the magnificent support Miss Nilsson receives from the rest of the cast..." This presentation of Elektra is subtitled in English and was taped during the February 16, 1980 at the Metropolitan Opera.