Richard Strauss - Elektra / James Levine, Birgit Nilsson, Leonie Rysanek, MET

Rating:
Summary: great video...but the PERFORMANCE! ...............WOW!
Review: This is a landmark video of historical proportions. The cast is one that comes around rarely in one's lifetime, with some of the finest opera has to offer. Yes, Nilsson and Rysanek are fabulous, but Mignon Dunn takes my breath away. This is a special video for me because I was there in the house...it was Elektrafying! I had always heard about Nilsson's High C's, but her opening lament was like a railroad spike through my chest. This opera is Strauss at his best, and he couldn't have asked for a finer cast!

Rating:
Summary: Simply wonderful
Review: This performance of Elektra at the Metropolitan Opera is a wonderful momento of Birgit Nilsson's final performance in a complete opera at the MET. The matinee performance of February 16, 1980 proves visually what recording afficionados who own Ms. Nilsson's recording of Elektra have known for years: Nilsson is without competition in this role. Granted, this performance is late Nilsson and there are some pitch problems as well as some straightness of tone in alt -- small flaws in an otherwise shattering performance. Leonie Rysanek is said to have had a fever of nearly 102f that day, but as a favor to her esteemed collegue, went on anyway to give an equally committed performance. I cannot recommend this video highly enough. For those of us whose generation knew Birgit Nilsson to BE the greatest Elektra of her time, this DVD must make it's way into every serious opera collector's collection. Mignon Dunn is in fine voice as Klytemnestra and acts the role with great depth of emotion and character without caricature. Add the superb playing of the MET orchestra under James Levine -- and how can you miss. If only Miss Nilsson's Salome and Dyer's Wife in Frau Ohne Schatten had been committed to video as well. Buy it, buy it, buy it!

Rating:
Summary: Stunning Document of a Memorable Occasion
Review: This performance of Elektra at the Metropolitan Opera is a wonderful momento of Birgit Nilsson's final performance in a complete opera at the MET. The matinee performance of February 16, 1980 proves visually what recording afficionados who own Ms. Nilsson's recording of Elektra have known for years: Nilsson is without competition in this role. Granted, this performance is late Nilsson and there are some pitch problems as well as some straightness of tone in alt -- small flaws in an otherwise shattering performance. Leonie Rysanek is said to have had a fever of nearly 102f that day, but as a favor to her esteemed collegue, went on anyway to give an equally committed performance. I cannot recommend this video highly enough. For those of us whose generation knew Birgit Nilsson to BE the greatest Elektra of her time, this DVD must make it's way into every serious opera collector's collection. Mignon Dunn is in fine voice as Klytemnestra and acts the role with great depth of emotion and character without caricature. Add the superb playing of the MET orchestra under James Levine -- and how can you miss. If only Miss Nilsson's Salome and Dyer's Wife in Frau Ohne Schatten had been committed to video as well. Buy it, buy it, buy it!

Rating:
Summary: Simply wonderful
Review: Yes, everyone is past his or her prime, but this entire performance is endlessly compelling. Nilsson was already in her 60s, and age has made a few minor inroads in that incredible instrument, but her artistry and commitment are overwhelming. It's an exhilarating and shattering performance. I saw this live, and seeing this memento of it all these years later was a deeply moving experience. Highly recommended.