Karl Böhm conducts Elektra

As a close confidant of the composer, Karl Böhm conducted the premieres of two Richard Strauss operas and also championed his other stage works with tireless passion. The last recording of the then 86-year-old conductor was of Elektra, which was also used as the soundtrack for Götz Friedrich's psychologically intense opera film. With Leonie Rysanek, Astrid Varnay and Catarina Ligendza, three of the great Wagner and Strauss singers come together for the gripping setting of Hugo von Hofmannsthal's version of the ancient story. Karl Böhm was able to realise his artistic legacy with the Wiener Philharmoniker, which appointed him as its first honorary conductor in 1967.

Soloists: 

Rolf Boysen (Speaker), Kurt Böhme (Bass), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Bass-Baritone), Josef Greindl (Bass), Catarina Ligendza (Soprano), Leonie Rysanek (Soprano), Astrid Varnay (Soprano), Hans Beirer (Tenor), Christopher Doig (Tenor)

Ensembles: 

Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Wiener Philharmoniker

Conductor: 

Karl Böhm