The Works of Richard Strauss

Elektra Op. 58
Musical tragedy in one act.
Text by Hugo von Hofmannsthal.
First performance: Dresden, 1909.

Characters:
KIytämnestra (Clytemnestra) - mezzo-soprano
Elektra (Electra) and Chrysothemis, her daughters - sopranos
Aegisth -tenor
Orest (Orestes) - baritone
Orest's tutor - bass
The confidante - soprano
The train-bearer - soprano
A young servant - tenor
An old servant - bass
The overseer - soprano
Five maids - one contralto - two mezzo sopranos - two sopranos.
Slaves

Orchestration
8 First Violins
8 Second Violins
8 Third Violins
6 First Violas (doubling Fourth Violins)
6 Second Violas
6 Third Violas
6 First Cellos
6 Second Cellos
8 Basses

Aegisth (Agamemnon), Elektra and Chrysothemis have led very
unhappy lives in their mother's palace since the death of their
father. Electra lives like an animal sleeping outside and is acting
in an unpredictable and wary manner. She arouses only antipathy
and fear in others through her self-neglect. She is possessed with an
obsession, revenge for the murder of her father to be exercised
against her mother Klytämnestra (Clytemnestra), and her mother's
somewhat feeble lover Aegisth (Aegisthus).

The scene represents the inner courtyard of the palace of Mycenae.
The maids are chattering at the well, when Elektra steals furtively past
them. The maids only have unpleasant words for the princess whom
receives beatings and eats with the dogs. Only the youngest girl stands
up for her. The overseer sends them all into the palace, we hear the
cries of the youngest maid, whom the others are beating for her fondness
for Elektra. Elektra comes out of the house. She relives the murder of
her father, and intoxicates herself with the thought of avenging his
death with the help of Chrysothemis and Orestes, who has not yet
returned to Mycenae. Elektra works herself into a frenzy of triumph,
and dances as she will dance on the graves of her victims.

When Chrysothemis enters and calls her Sister's name, Elektra starts
as if waking from a dream. Chrysothemis warns her against their
mother who wants to shut her in a dark tower. Chrysothemnis can no
longer stand the life she is leading with her sister; she cannot share
Elektra's brooding on revenge and wants to escape from the misery
which is destroying them both. Younger than her sister, she is not so
conscious of the horrible murder as Elektra, and she is consumed with
longing for a normal life.

Noises coming from the palace announce the arrival of Clytemnestra.
Chrysothemis warns her Sister once more against the Queen, and then
rushes out to avoid meeting her. Elektra is left alone to face her hated
mother, who in turn hates and fears her at the same time. A fantastic
retinue of servants and slaves passes before the windows which are lit
by crude torches; animals for a sacrifice are brought in. Finally
Clytemnestra appears in the doorway, bloated and disfigured by
debauchery. She is haunted by terrible dreams, and demands that the
wise Elektra suggest a way in which the gods can be placated, so
she may sleep. Elektra declares she will be cured when a certain
sacrifice, a woman, falls beneath the axe at the hand of a man of
their kin.

Clytemnestra does not understand the horrible insinuations, until
Elektra springs at her, crying that it is she herself who must die. The
confidante comes out and whispers in Clytemnestra's ear. Casting a
triumphant glance at Elektra, she goes in, accompanied by her
servants.

Chrysothemis comes out, bringing the terrible news that Orestes has
died under his horse's hoofs. Electra does not want to believe this, but
if it should be true the duty of vengeance would fall on her and
Chrysothemis alone. Chrysothemis is young and strong and must help
her. The more Elektra urges her on, the more Chrysothemis shrinks
from her and finally rushes out in horror, followed by Elektra's curses.
Elektra stands alone, and must accomplish the act of vengeance
single-handed. She had previously hidden the axe with which
Agamemnon was killed, and now goes to dig it up. At that moment
she sees a stranger in the doorway; it is Orestes. They do not
recognise each other, and at first he takes Elektra for a maid; he
says he has come to tell the Queen of Orestes's death.

Only when Elektra tells him her name does he reveal his identity, and
Elektra's mood and frenzy relaxes into tenderness and lyricism. They
rejoice at die prospect of revenge. The confidante appears to take
Orestes and his tutor before die Queen. Elektra is alone, lamenting
that she has not given him the axe of revenge. She hears shouts, and
believes she hears Clytemnestra's voice crying out fearfully. Strike
her again, cries Elektra. Chrysothemnis and the maids enter the
courtyard. Drawn by the noises coming from the palace, they hurry
in in terror. Aegisth strolls into the courtyard, expecting to hear
confirmation of the good news of Orestes's death. Elektra, circling
weirdly around him, offers to light his way with her torch in derisive
zeal. Surprised by her unusual behaviour, Aegisth hurries into the
palace, only to reappear at a window calling for help, before he
too suffers Clytemnestra's fate. Chrysothemis enters and joins in her
sister's joy at Orestes' return. Elektra's aim is fulfilled, and revenge
has now been taken. Drunk with her triumph she begins to dance
no longer conscious of her surroundings, she whirls around like
a maenad at ever more frenzied speed until she falls dead to the
ground at the climax of her ecstasy. Chrysothemis rushes to the door
of the palace and pounds on it, crying out for Orestes.