This week on Iowa Public Radio's Opera in October broadcast series features the Des Moines Metro Opera's production of Richard Strauss' Elektra. The broadcast will air on Saturday, October 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 20 at noon.
This tragic tale of revenge and obsession, written by Hugo von Hofmannstahl and based upon Sophocles' play of the same name, tells the story of Elektra, daughter of King Agamemnon of Mycenae. She longs to avenge the death of her father by taking the life of his murderer and wife, Queen Klytemnästra, with help from her outlawed brother Orest. This opera focuses on Elektra and her obsession, displaying her emotional turmoil and desire for revenge as she confronts various members of her family over the tragedy of her father's death. With extensive use of dissonance, chromaticism, and a fluid tonality, Elektra is Strauss' furthest step in modernism. Brenda Harris takes the main stage in the title role under the direction of Dugg McDonough in this vividly dark and violent tragedy.
