he last production staged by Patrice Chéreau, this Elektra will remain as the main and most striking lyrical event of these last years in Aixen-Provence. 　　In 1903, Richard Strauss attended a performance of Elektra, a play by the Viennese poet Hugo von Hofmannsthal based on the tragedy by Sophocles. Three years later, Strauss came to an understanding with Hofmannsthal on a lyric adaptation of the play. Even though tepidly received at its premiere on 25 January 1909 in Dresden, Elektra quickly won over audiences and today occupies an enviable place in the repertoire of opera houses the world over. With its clear-cut contrasts and telluric power, it is one of the most scathing masterpieces of the whole lyric repertoire. 　　Elektra comes in the wake of Salome with the same dimensions (a single act lasting approximately an hour and three-quarters), a story taking place in ancient times, extreme feelings, and devastating violence. Frenzied unity of place, time and action, with the drama unfolding in the courtyard of the palace in Mycenae, in real time. It tells how Elektra, daughter of King Agamemnon, keeps alive the memory of her father, murdered upon his return from Troy by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, and dwells only on vengeance. And how this vengeance finally comes about. 　　This production is led by three amazing singers: the German soprano Evelyn Herlitzius gave a tremendous, never-to-be-forgotten account of the title role, Waltraud Meier portrays a human and chilling Clytemnestra and Adrianne Pieczonka is a fantastic Chrysothemis. 　　Everyone’s loneliness and intimate struggles are Patrice Chéreau’s favorite theatrical themes. With Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Orchestre de Paris, this production of Elektra becomes an unforgettable experience.

Cast 　　Leonie Rysanek .... Elektra 　　Astrid Varnay .... Clitamestra 　　Catarina Ligendza .... Crisotemis 　　Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau .... Orestes 　　Hans Beirer .... Egisto 　　Josef Greindl .... Criado 　　Kurt Böhme .... Ein alter Diener 　　Christopher Doig .... Ein junger Diener 　　Olga Varia .... Die Schleppenträgerin 　　Carmen Reppel .... Die Vertraute 　　Colette Lorand .... Die Aufseherin 　　Rolf Boysen .... Agamenon 　　Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor 　　Wiener Philharmoniker 　　Karl Böhm .... conductor

Johann Strauss Jr. is the darling of waltzing Vienna, but he is haunted by constant pressure to outdo himself with each new composition. When Strauss meets Nicholas, a humble young stableboy, they realize they have much in common. The composer and the boy share the healing bond of trust and embark on a collaboration that will be music to the world's ears. 　　Video offers English, French and Spanish language selection as well as Descriptive Text.

Johann Strauss Jr. is the darling of waltzing Vienna, but he is haunted by constant pressure to outdo himself with each new composition. When Strauss meets Nicholas, a humble young stableboy, they realize they have much in common. The composer and the boy share the healing bond of trust and embark on a collaboration that will be music to the world's ears. 　　Video offers English, French and Spanish language selection as well as Descriptive Text.

年轻美丽的公爵夫人费尔德玛莎琳趁着公爵不在家，偷偷的和名为奥克塔文（Felicity Lott 饰）的贵族在寝室幽会，哪知道半路杀出了公爵的表兄——奥克斯男爵，为了遮掩自己的情事，玛莎琳将奥克塔文乔装打扮成了一位美女，哪知道奥克斯竟然对女装的奥克塔文一见如故，甚至委托他将代表他的情意的银玫瑰送给名为苏菲（Anne Sofie von Otter 饰）的女子。 　　无奈之下，奥克塔文只得遵命，向苏菲传达了奥克斯男爵的求婚请求，哪知道苏菲对奥克斯伯爵并无兴趣，反而对奥克塔文一见钟情。奥克塔文也禁不住苏菲所散发出的魅力，两人双双坠入了情网之中。

年轻美丽的公爵夫人费尔德玛莎琳趁着公爵不在家，偷偷的和名为奥克塔文（Felicity Lott 饰）的贵族在寝室幽会，哪知道半路杀出了公爵的表兄——奥克斯男爵，为了遮掩自己的情事，玛莎琳将奥克塔文乔装打扮成了一位美女，哪知道奥克斯竟然对女装的奥克塔文一见如故，甚至委托他将代表他的情意的银玫瑰送给名为苏菲（Anne Sofie von Otter 饰）的女子。 　　无奈之下，奥克塔文只得遵命，向苏菲传达了奥克斯男爵的求婚请求，哪知道苏菲对奥克斯伯爵并无兴趣，反而对奥克塔文一见钟情。奥克塔文也禁不住苏菲所散发出的魅力，两人双双坠入了情网之中。

元帅夫人趁元帅出外打猎不在家的夜里，跟年轻贵族奥克塔文偷偷地在卧室幽会。清晨，元帅夫人的表兄奥克斯男爵突然到来，为了遮掩丑事，元帅夫人把情人奥克塔文推进邻房换装，稍加化装后，奥克塔文就变成了一个娇美的侍女。没想到，不明真相的奥克斯男爵竟然请奥克塔文作为代表自己向苏菲赠送表达爱情的银玫瑰的骑士。 　　无奈，奥克塔文只有将银制的、浸透了奥克斯男爵爱恋的玫瑰交给了富豪之女苏菲，并向苏菲转达了奥克斯男爵的求婚。不想造化弄人，苏菲在接受玫瑰的瞬间，对奥克塔文一见钟情，两颗灼热的心紧紧相依。剧场里，在优美的旋律、曼妙的气氛中，奥克塔文与苏菲在经历重重曲折之后，最终鸳梦成真。