In memoriam: HILDEGARD BEHRENS as ELEKTRA

Thunderous Elektra ovation at the Met

[@junebug7138]

Behrens performed Elektra in the Eighties at the Met Opera and received terrible reviews, she had allergies and it had a major impact on her performance; she was devastated. I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing her comeback in that role at the Met in this very performance in 1994. To this day it remains in my memory as one of the most powerful performances I have ever witnessed. She was exquisite, as was Deborah Voigt and Brigetta Fassbaender and the full cast, James Levine was masterful, I was mesmerized. When the curtain fell, the crowd exploded, everyone was on their feet, I was weeping, the ovation went on and on for a full twenty minutes. Gives me chills just to remember it, and to see it here reminds me just how amazing it truly was.

[@josephuia]

you can hear the energy in the applause that you are speaking of

[@samueljaramillo4221]

She was an electrifying singer. Absolutely amazing.

[@antben8992]

Grandissima cantante e grandissima attrice.

[@LeChevalierDuFeu]

what a great cast of singers!!!

[@stevenmathers6661]

I saw her as Elektra in London (with christa ludwig) and she was incredible.

[@sfopera]

I heard her in Houston around 1992. Greatest Elektra I've experienced.

[@Suz71bu]

Thank you for this. I understand this was a TV broadcast & the Met hasn't released it. I wish they would. I'm sure they could if they wanted too.

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

BRAVISSIMA.

[@kiamau3358]

Wow. That was awesome. Thank you for posting.

[@PrincesaDeTinieblas]

R. I. P. From Spain,.

[@finylvinyl66]

I don't think Behrens was the greatest Elektra of all time, but this might have been the most inspired live performance of the role ever recorded.

[@junebug7138]

Have to disagree, she owns that role.

[@finylvinyl66]

@@junebug7138 So did Birgit Nilsson.

[@Wotan123456789]

I don't think a singer owns a role (except Callas' Norma) I saw Nilsson, Behrens, Jones, they were all exceptional, to each their own.

[@samueljaramillo4221]

@@Wotan123456789 Nobody owns a role. They may excel in that role, but doesn’t own it.

[@Wotan123456789]

@@samueljaramillo4221 No one except Callas and Norma

[@KenKen3593]

Elektra must be like an aesthetic joyride for so many people, because after the final orchestral chord, everyone goes bonkers and applauds for minutes on end. If you check out the Nilsson-Levine-Met curtain call from the performance on DVD, you'll know where I'm calling from.

[@Operafreak9]

I do indeed. I was there. Also for her Turandot in Wiesbaden they brought down the fire curtain leaving her shut out on the apron of the stage.