from the one act German opera Elektra by Richard Strauss

Libretto: Hugo von Hofmannsthal

Role: Chrysothemis, daughter of Agamemnon and Klytemnestra, sister of Elektra and Orestes

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: the courtyard of the palace at Mycene, ancient Greece

Synopsis: Chrysothemis is tired of Elektra's plans for revenging their father's murder by their mother. Instead, she wants to escape the palace and release the fires of love which are within her.

from the one act German opera Elektra by Richard Strauss

Libretto: Hugo von Hofmannsthal

Role: Elektra (Electra), daughter of Agamemnon and Klytemnestra, sister of Chrysothemis and Orestes

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: the courtyard of the palace at Mycene, ancient Greece

Synopsis: Elektra explains the story of how Elektra's father was murdered by her mother and her lover Aegistheus. She invokes his name and plans for revenge against her mother. Her brother Orestes and Elektra have planned to murder her mother, after which they will dance around their dead bodies.

from the one act German opera Elektra by Richard Strauss

Libretto: Hugo von Hofmannsthal

Role: Elektra (Electra), daughter of Agamemnon and Klytemnestra, sister of Chrysothemis and Orestes

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: the courtyard of the palace at Mycene, ancient Greece

Synopsis: Elektra has just met her brother Orestes, who she thought was dead. In her joy, she cries out his name. She tells him not to embrace her since she is dirty and no longer beautiful. She explains that she gave up her beauty in order to work for revenge against her mother. Now that Orestes has returned alive, that revenge will come soon.

from the one act German opera Elektra by Richard Strauss

Libretto: Hugo von Hofmannsthal

Role: Elektra (Electra), daughter of Agamemnon and Klytemnestra, sister of Chrysothemis and Orestes

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: the courtyard of the palace at Mycene, ancient Greece

Synopsis: After hearing that her brother Orestes is dead, Elektra tries to convince Chrysothemis to kill their mother. She flatters her, saying that she is very strong and beautiful and would be able to do the deed easily. Plus, if she helped Elektra, Elektra would look after her. She attempts to hold Chrysothemis there beside her but but fails to do so.