Strauss, Richard: Elektra (Historic Recording)

Elektra by RIchard Strauss
Cast: Astriad Vernay, Res Fischer, Leonie Rysanek, Hans Hotter and Helmut Melchert  with the Chor and Orchestra  of West German Radio (Westdeutschen Rundfunks) conducted by Richard Kraus
Label: Melodram
Libretto by Hugo von Hoffmannsthal
Catalogue number: MELS 112
Country of Issue: Italy
Date: 1982
Historic Recordings made in 1953
Mono
Format: LP Boxed Set (2 discs plus booklet)
Label design: Melodram usual.
Discs: Near Mint, unmarked
Outer box: Near Mint, tiniest of marks at corners
Inner sleeves: original, polylined, as new
Booklet: full size 4pp, perfect

This item appears as new throughout except as mentioned above. Acquired by us in 2007 as part of a large collection but never played since.

This is volume 12 of the Richard Strauss Edition issued by the Italian re-issue label Melodram. It was recorded in Cologne in 1953,  this set issued in 1982 and very handsome. Discs are visually perfect as is the packaging apart from a very small scuff on the bottom corner of the outer box. Strauss commenced work  on Elektra late in 1906 and it was completed around September 1908.  At the time Strauss  called Elektra 'the pinnacle of my achievements'  and it has become one of the most admired of Romantic lyrical operas.