Strauss's blood-soaked opera: one woman, 106 minutes, zero chill.
In the spring of 2024, the Berliner Philharmoniker, under the direction of their chief conductor Kirill Petrenko, presented a staged production of Richard Strauss’s thrilling and dark opera Elektra – the highlight of the Baden-Baden Easter Festival. The title role was sung by the acclaimed soprano Nina Stemme. Philipp Stölzl, who has caused a sensation with his spectacular productions on the lake stage at the Bregenz Festival, was the director and set designer.
Direction
Stölzl's staging turns trauma into visual poetry.
Acting
Stemme's Elektra: 90 minutes of raw, shattering commitment.
Score
Strauss's orchestra sounds like panic attacks sound.
Director
Philipp Stölzl
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Strauss demanded 111 musicians for this score — massive for 1909, absolutely unhinged for chamber opera.
This production swaps traditional Greek ruins for stark modernism, making Elektra's isolation feel terrifyingly contemporary.
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