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Edinburgh International Festival: Strauss’s Elektra

Edinburgh International Festival: Strauss’s Elektra

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About This Event

This August, the Edinburgh International Festival is set to stage Richard Strauss's monumental opera, Elektra, at the Usher Hall on Sunday 23 August, commencing at 6:30pm. This gripping production delves into the heart of Greek tragedy, examining the profound psychological turmoil experienced by its protagonist. Elektra, consumed by the desire for vengeance following her father Agamemnon's brutal murder, embarks on a path of relentless retribution. Strauss's powerful score amplifies the raw emotion, employing vast orchestral forces and intricate harmonies to convey the characters' overwhelming passions and inner demons. The opera promises a visceral and profoundly moving theatrical experience, a highlight within the Festival's eclectic offering. The Edinburgh International Festival continues its tradition of presenting a rich tapestry of world-class performances and engaging events, infusing the Scottish capital with an unparalleled cultural vibrancy throughout its duration. This particular performance offers a compelling exploration of ancient myth through a modern operatic lens.

The event features a performance of Richard Strauss's opera Elektra, a gripping production that delves into the heart of Greek tragedy. The opera is set at the Usher Hall on Sunday 23 August at 6:30pm. Karina Canellakis conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and an outstanding cast, including leading dramatic sopranos Iréne Theorin and Nina Stemme, who perform the virtuoso roles of Elektra and Klytämnestra.

The performance promises a visceral and profoundly moving theatrical experience, with Strauss's powerful score amplifying the raw emotion of the characters. The opera employs vast orchestral forces and intricate harmonies to convey the characters' overwhelming passions and inner demons. The production is a highlight of the Edinburgh International Festival's eclectic offering.

The performance starts at 6:30pm on Sunday 23 August at the Usher Hall.

Details written from the information supplied by the event organiser.

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Frequently asked questions

Edinburgh International Festival: Strauss’s Elektra takes place on Sunday, 23 August 2026 at 19:30.

Edinburgh International Festival: Strauss’s Elektra is held at Usher Hall in Edinburgh (Lothian Road, Edinburgh West EH1 2EA).

Tickets for Edinburgh International Festival: Strauss’s Elektra can be booked via whatsoninedinburgh.co.uk using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.

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