Richard Strauss, Elektra: Orest! by Leonie Rysanek

An excerpt from a film of Götz Friedrich (1982). Leonie Rysanek as Elektra and Dietrich Fisher-Dieskau as Orest. The Wiener Philharmoniker were conducted by Karl Böhm, just a few months before his death (I think he was 86 when this was recorded).

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  Music

[straker1999]

I believe this becomes available on DVD during November this year.

[jaason53]

It is already available on DVD, has been for several years. The package includes also a bonus DVD containing a documentary about making the film. From that one can find where the opera was filmed. Just now I don't remember whether it was a slaughterhouse or an old factory.

[billyguns2]

No praise is too high for the absolutely magnificent conducting of Karl Bohm, personal friend of the composer and his best advocate IMO. Bohm's Strauss always sounds so "right!" Here he and the magnificent orchestra are unequaled; it just doesn't get any better than this.

[NetOwl]

I love Elektra.

Birgit Nilsson is my favorite.

[astronomo16]

Los pelos de punta de la emoción...

[willworkforwages]

Riveting.



[Matthias Kellermann]

As a die-hard Karajanist I must say the Herr Böhm did a fine job.

[Clemens Mark]

strauss, böhm, rysanek - höchste form des musikdramas, unübertroffen!!

[David Navarro]

Master Bohm!

[Portia Biswas]

What exactly is happening in this scene?

[afleiss5]

Imalittlespy says it best. In my layman's terms: This is pure beauty. This is pure pain. This is talent on every level. This made my heart both stop and thump at the same time. Wow... beautifully intense.

[unclealand]

And, just like Stratas in the film they made of "Salome", it has probably done more to bring in new opera fans than we imagine. I actually showed Rysanek's "Elektra" to some kids about to graduate from high school and when it was over they couldn't stop raving about it. I'm telling you, I had to leave the room before they saw I was crying.

[unclealand]

I just happen to have a little story about your query. Not much of story, sorry, but it reminds us of Rysanek's conservation of her talents. A friend of mine met her at a gala in the early seventies. Says she was warm and sincerely sweet. He asked her "Why haven't you ever sung 'Elektra'? It would be magnificent." Leonie replied, "Oh, I love it, too. I could sing it ONCE, but then I'd never be able to sing another note." Isn't it wonderful she was wrong?

[michelebzz]

Bohm superlativo