Acclaimed Soprano In NZ Premiere Of Elektra

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Acclaimed Soprano Features In NZ Premiere Of Elektra With APO

One of the world’s leading dramatic sopranos stars in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s opera in concert, Richard Strauss’ rarely performed Elektra.
Renowned soprano Elizabeth Connell performs the title role in this chilling and deeply moving Greek tragedy at the Auckland Town Hall on Friday 6 August. It is the first time Elektra has been performed in New Zealand.

Richard Strauss, whose opera Salome probed the darkest corners of human desire, intensified the drama and musical depth for this powerful recounting of Sophocles’ ancient story of love, passion and revenge. The result is Strauss’ most daring musical masterpiece and one of the most demanding soprano parts ever written.

Conductor and APO Music Director, Eckehard Stier, says Richard Strauss’ music is overpowering and shines a light into the darkest corners of our existence. “It grabs you and carries you away completely.

“Elektra is great - thrilling and exciting. The music arouses a deep and moving feeling, but Elektra is also modern and brings this ancient drama to a new level of our modern sensibility. Elektra is beautiful. Elektra is cruel. Elektra is delightful.”

Securing Elizabeth Connell to perform the role of Elektra has been a major coup for the APO. Acclaimed for her performances of the great Strauss, Verdi and Wagner heroines, she has appeared in the opera houses of London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Milan, Naples and Geneva.

She is joined for the APO performance by Swedish-American soprano Erika Sunnegardh who will play Chrysothemis.

“We’re extremely excited about securing two major international sopranos in two of the lead roles,” says APO chief executive Barbara Glaser.

New Zealand’s Helen Medlyn sings the role of Clytemnestra, Finland’s Tuomas Pursio is Orestes and New Zealand tenor Richard Greager is Aegisthus.

The story of Elektra is one of a family driven by fear, revenge and death. Clytemnestra, with the help of her lover Aegisthus, has had her husband, Agamemnon murdered and her daughters Elektra and Chrysothemis, and their banished brother Orestes want revenge.

The APO’s performance of Elektra is on Friday 6 August at the Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE at 7.30pm. Tickets are available by phoning 0800 BUY TICKETS (0800 289 842) or online at www.buytickets.co.nz. For more information, visit www.apo.co.nz

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