Nina Stemme stars in an unforgettable Elektra in Baden-Baden

Nina Stemme (Elektra)

Elektra

Michaela Schuster (Klytaemnestra) and Maids

Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke (Aegisth) and Nina Stemme (Elektra)

Elza van den Heever (Chrysothemis) and Nina Stemme (Elektra)

By Ako Imamura, 27 March 2024

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“carried aloft by the orchestra, soaring to a height of unimaginable beauty”

Reviewed at Festspielhaus, Baden-Baden on 26 March 2024

Strauss R., Elektra

Kirill Petrenko, Conductor

Philipp Stölzl, Director, Set Designer, Lighting Designer

Maurice Maurer, Costume Designer

Berliner Philharmoniker

Prague Philharmonic Choir

Philipp M Krenn, Director

Michaela Schuster, Klytaemnestra

Nina Stemme, Elektra

Elza van den Heever, Chrysothemis

Johan Reuter, Orest

Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, Aegisth

Katharina Magiera, Maid 1

Marvic Monreal, Maid 2

Alexandra Ionis, Maid 3

Dorothea Herbert, Maid 4

Lauren Fagan, Maid 5

Kirsi Tiihonen, Overseer

Serafina Starke, Confidante

Anna Denisova, Trainbearer

Lucas van Lierop, Young Servant

Andrew Harris, Old Servant

Anthony Robin Schneider, Orest's Tutor

A spectacular Freischütz in Bregenz

Thomas Schacher, 19th July

At the Bregenz Festival, director Philpp Stölzl gives us a radical updating of the classic, with an interpretation many miles away from Weber.

***11

Double trouble as two directors tackle new DNO Rusalka

Eleanor Knight, 8th June

The magic in Philipp Stölzl and Philipp Krenn's new production comes from the pit, where Joana Mallwitz and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra captivate.

***11

Stölzl's Berlin Turandot brings out human darkness

Ako Imamura, 22nd June

Philipp Stölzl depicts Turandot as a tragedy of a lonely princess who pays dearly for her cruelty in his fascinating new production at the Staatsoper Berlin.

****1

Staging on steroids: Verdi’s Rigoletto in Bregenz

Sarah Batschelet, 19th July

Here was the much-loved three-act opera Rigoletto, yes, but chances are, it was one far beyond Verdi’s wildest dreams.

****1

Deutsche Oper revives Stölzl's Rienzi staging

Ako Imamura, 18th April

Staging the story of the Italian political figure Rienzi as that of a dictator in 20th-century Germany was an inspired idea. This revival was a rare occasion to experience Wagner's early opera.

***11

Top voices, high drama in Andrea Chénier

David Karlin, 28th July

With superb singing from Harteros, Salsi and Kaufmann, this production makes a strong case for Andrea Chénier’s continued presence in the repertoire.

****1

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Ako Imamura

Atsuko (Ako) Imamura is a retired investment banker in New York City. Born in Japan, she trained as cultural anthropologist in the US before turning to ﬁnance. She now spends her time attending opera and classical music concerts in New York and in Europe. Wagner is her favorite opera composer.