Elektra

• Composer: Richard Strauss
• Librettist: Hugo von Hoffmansthal
• Source: Elektra, drama by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, based on the classic drama Electra by Sophocles (c. 410 BC); first performed November 1903
• First performance: Hofoper, Dresden, 25 January 1909
• Libretto
• Urtext (comparison of libretto and drama)

Dramatis Personæ

Klytämnestra [Clytemnestra], queen of Argolis, widow of Agamemnon (Mezzosopran)

Elektra [Electra], daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra (Sopran)

Chrysothemis, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra (Sopran)

Aegisth [Aegisthus], husband of Clytemnestra (Tenor)

Orest [Orestes], son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra (Bariton)

Der Pfleger des Orest [guardian of Orestes] (Bass)

Die Vertraute [confidante] of Clytemnestra (Sopran)

Die Schleppträgerin [trainbearer] of Clytemnestra (Sopran)

Ein junger Diener [a young servant] (Tenor)

Ein alter Diener [an old servant] (Bass)

Die Aufseherin [the overseer] (Sopran)

I. Magd [1st maidservant] (Alt)

II. Magd [2nd maidservant] (Mezzosopran)

III. Magd [3rd maidservant] (Mezzosopran)

IV. Magd [4th maidservant] (Sopran)

V. Magd [5th maidservant] (Sopran)

Dienerinnen und Diener [maidservants and manservants]

Setting: Mycenæ, after the Trojan War.