ELEKTRA – a monumental outdoor opera

NorrlandsOperan and the dramatic art collective La Fura Dels Baus are creating a monumental outdoor performance of Richard Strauss’ one-act opera. Elektra is a part of Umeå2014’s capital of culture and has it´s première on August 14.

When Elektra is performed in Umeå in 2014, it will be the first open-air performance of the opera in this format. Richard Strauss’ one-act opera is staged by the Catalan dramatic art collective La Fura dels Baus and the audience can expect a spectacular outdoor performance in a monumental size.

The stage is two hundred metres long, and will be erected at the old military command centre Umestan near the heart of Umeå city. The military command centre will be filled with cranes, mechanical giants with singers standing inside their chests, an enormous grave and skips filled with blood.

Elektra is NorrlandsOperan´s largest production of all times. The production comprises 73 musicians and a large number of extras. The music is powerful and expressive. Strauss’ courage inspires La Fura dels Baus in their staging of Elektra’s wrath and vindictiveness.

The Catalan dramatic art collective La Fura dels Baus was founded in 1979 and has its artistic roots in urban street performances. The collective experienced an international breakthrough when they staged the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992. Ever since, they have continued to create spectacular artistic projects around the globe. Every production places great emphasis on the architecture of the performance site, and the performances are staged in close collaboration with local actors and residents. Here is one example.

The role as Elektra will be sung by Ingela Brimberg. Elektras sister Chrysothemis by NorrlandsOperan´s own Susanna Levonen and Elektra´s mother Klytaimnestra by Ingrid Tobiasson.
NorrlandsOperan´s Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Rumon Gamba.

See a list of all participants here.

www.norrlandsoperan.se