Opera Guide and Synopsis: Elektra, by Richard Strauss

Elektra is an opera in one act by Richard Strauss. The libretto, written by Hugo von Hoffsmansthal, is based on the Greek myth. The story was heavily criticized at the time for its depictions of "perverse" violence, with one critic writing bemoaning that "a classical work has been dragged from its pedestal." The music is full of extreme dissonances, which works to express the mood of such a story.

Score of Elektra

A full score and vocal score of Elektra are available from the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP).

Characters in Elektra

• Elektra, daughter of Clytemnestra and the murdered king Agamemnon (Soprano)
• Chrysothemis, her sister (Soprano)
• Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's widow (Mezzo-soprano)
• Aegisthus, her lover (Tenor)
• Orestes, son of Agamemnon (Baritone)

Synopsis of Elektra

Before the story begins, Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus conspire to murder her husband Agamemnon. They banish Agamemnon's son Orestes and prohibit his daughters Elektra and Chrysothemis from marrying, since their children would be bound to avenge Agamemnon.

Elektra mourns her dead father constantly and is half-crazed with grief. The maids suggest that she should be locked up, but also hope that she will get her vengeance. Elektra keeps shrieking, pointing to the place where Agamemnon died and crying out that Orestes will return to avenge him and be hailed as the true king.

Chrysothemis rebukes Elektra for her actions. Unlike her sister, she is calm and accepts Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, and thus is treated well by them. She begs Elektra to let go of her desire for vengeance; their brother, Orestes, will not return. She says, however, that Clytemnestra has dreamed of Orestes.

Clytemnestra enters with a procession, and Elektra mocks her. She consults her Elektra about her nightmares, which she says will end when "the right blood" flows. Elektra informs her that the "right blood" is that of a murderer and the woman who consorts with him, then accuses her of killing Orestes. When she sees fear in Clytemnestra's eyes, she knows that her brother lives. She graphically describes her mother's violent, vengeful death, and Clytemnestra flees.

Chrysothemis arrives with news of Orestes's accidental death in another land. Elektra declares that she and Chrysothemis must avenge their father themselves, since Orestes can no longer carry out his duty. Chrysothemis is frightened, despite Elektra's attempts to encourage her, and so Elektra resolves to kill the murderers herself.

Orestes appears; his death was a rumor intended to throw Aegisthus and Clytemnestra off their guard so he can avenge Agamemnon. Elektra does not recognize him at first, and he is shocked to see her descended into madness. She gives Orestes her axe, which he uses to kill Clytemnestra, then chases Aegisthus until he finally catches and kills him.

Chrysothemis describes the awful scene and the wounds of the dead, but Elektra can only laugh and dance frantically. Having finally witnessed the vengeance for her father's death, she dies in triumph.

Sources:

• Kobbé, Gustav. The Complete Opera Book. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.
• Melitz, Leo, trans. Richard Salinger. The Opera Goer's Complete Guide. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1921.