R Strauss: Elektra -
If ever there was a dysfunctional family, it was the one in this opera, based on a Greek
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tragedy but deeply imbued with the ideas of Sigmund Freud. The mother Clytemnestra (mezzo-soprano Regina Resnik) and her lover Aegisthus (tenor Gerhard Stolze) have murdered her husband, Agamemnon, on his triumphant return from the Trojan War. They have an excuse: Agamemnon gave his daughter Iphigenia for a human sacrifice. Another daughter, Elektra (soprano Birgit Nilsson), burns for revenge but, as a woman in a patriarchal society, she must use her brother Orestes (baritone Tom Krause) to execute her plan. Nilsson's portrayal is a high point of her career and the whole brilliant production matches her performance. This is not easy listening but it puts us in touch with dark realities dangerous to ignore and the music (after you get used to it, which may take a while) has great power. --Joe McLellan
Main Performer: Birgit Nilsson (Soprano); Felicia Weathers (Soprano); Gerhard Stolze (Tenor); Gerhard Unger (Tenor); Helen Watts (Contralto (Female alto))
Label / Distributor: The Originals / Universal Manufacturing and Logistics
Pieces in Set: 2
Running Time: 2 hours 48 minutes
Genre(s): Stage works
Location of Recording: Vienna Sofiensaal (1968)
Producer: John Culshaw
Stereo: Stereo
SPAR Code: ADD
EAN: 28947582311
Catalogue Number: 475
Work 1
Work Title: Elektra, Op. 58
Excerpt(s): 1. Wo bleibt Elektra? 2. Allein! Weh, ganz allein 3. Elektra! 4. Ich kann nicht sitzen und ins Dunkel starren 5. Es geht ein Lärm los 6. Was willst du? Seht doch, dort! 7. Die Götter! bist doch selber eine Göttin 8. Ich will nichts hören! 9. Ich habe keine guten Nächte 10. Wenn das rechte Blutopfer 11. Was bluten muss? 12. Was sagen sie ihr denn? 13. Orest! Orest ist tot! 14. Platz da! Wer lungert so vor einer Tür? 15. Nun muss es hier von uns geschehn 16. Du! Du! denn du bist stark! 17. Nun denn, allein! 18. Was willst du, fremder Mensch? 19. Elektra! Elektra 20. Orest! (Recognition Scene) 21. Du wirst es tun? Allein? 22. Seid ihr von Sinnen 23. Ich habe ihm das Beil nicht geben können! 24. Es muss etwas geschehen sein 25. He! Lichter! Lichter! 26. Elektra! Schwester! 27. Ob ich nich höre? 28. Hörst du denn nicht, sie tragen ihn 29. Schweig, und tanze
...Picture the scene, you're at a bangin' (truly bangin' party), movin to the hotel lobby (as R Kelly + chums would do), what song is the crowd dancing to? It has to be...Ignition! The ultimate floorfiller, well in my opinion, then you've got the sexy slick Snake to slither around the dancefloor to, or the ballad The World's Greatest to slow down the tempo to continue the party all through the night with the fellas on ma left, honeys on ma right....you know how the song goes.
When I purchased R Kelly - The R In RnB Greatest Hits Collection 1 I expected a CD filled with ballads, floorfillers, to midtempo slick grooves. What did I get? The guaranteed ignition and a bunch of ballads - OK so I love R Kelly and love ballads, great for an allnighter with your partner, but as for this great CD I could take to a friend's house party, well...
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Advantages: Witty lyrics, sparkling music Disadvantages: None
...Die Fledermaus: The Bat
Composer: Johann Strauss ll
Lyrics: Carl Haffner and Richard Genee
Conductor: John Owen Edwards
Orchestra: D'Oyly Carte Opera Orchestra
Performer: D'Oyly Carte Opera Chorus
Label: Sony Classics
Released: October 1, 1995
Number of Discs: 2
Cost: £27.99
The Composer
Johann Strauss ll was born in Vienna on 25th October 1825 the eldest son of Johann Strauss a renowned violinist and composer. Johann Strauss junior was also a violinist. In 1844, he gathered together his own orchestra with himself as conductor and composer. Working in opposition to his father who disapproved. In 1849 on the death of his father, the two Strauss orchestras were combined. Strauss is best known for his Waltzes including The Beautiful Blue Danube. He also composed 17 operettas including Die Fledermaus in 1874.
The Opera...
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Advantages: covers all the necessary bases, floorfiller, ballads etc Disadvantages: not everyones cup of tea
...Rhythm and Blues my friends...Rhythm and Blues.
Stating he puts the r in 'r n b' , its certainly a catchy title if somewhat a modest claim. So what do we have here? 18 floorfilling songs that would keep us partying, to coin a phrase off Mr Ritchie - all night long-? 18 ballads to help us get through those excess kleenex?18 soulful love songs to make sweet love to? Well unsuprisingly he's opted to a fair mix of all.
Now ive read a couple of reviews on this cd from other ciao writers, and i have to disagree completely with their views, as is my right as a free individual.this review is obviously my personal opinion, and i write this having what could best be described as a very basic knowledge of all r kelly songs, never purchasing any of his material before.
The opener Ignition sets the tone nicely. Everyones heard it...
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helpful 21.01.2004
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