Forces of Nature

Anyone who has ever looked at the cast lists of old opera recordings and wondered why it no longer seems possible to see such a great concentration of talent on a single stage may find some consolation in the Semperoper’s new production of Elektra. With a cast featuring Evelyn Herlitzius, Waltraud Meier and Anne Schwanewilms, and musical direction from Christian Thielemann, it would be difficult to imagine a team of musicians more perfectly suited to what may be Strauss’ most dramatically charged work for the stage; and while one would have needed to travel to Dresden to see this group of singers in Barbara Frey’s new production, Berlin audiences were fortunate enough to have the orchestra, conductor and cast deliver a stunning konzertant performance at the Philharmonie.

At this point in her career, Evelyn Herlitzius is well on her way to…