A NEW OPERA.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12503, 2 April 1909, Page 4

A NEW OPERA.

Extraordinary interest was aroused : .n Germany by the first production of I)r- Richard Strauss' s - new ' opera, •'Elektra," at the Dresden Rb*yal Opera House. The entire House was jbld -out a month before, gallery seats tetohing a guinea apiece. The .most prominent musical critics . arid musicians attended the performance, which "Vv.as a brilliant success; Dr Straussj Herr.von Schuch, and the principal performers had to "appear several "times before the curtain in response fo persistent calls. "Elektra" is founded on Hugo von Hoffmannsthal's play of tho same name, recently produced .in. London •by Mrs .Patrick-Campbell. The- title-role is created by FrauKrull, while. Frau Schumann-Heink sang. The orchestra was' even larger, than that required, for "Salome"' There were 111 performers, and they: included -eight clarionets, eight horns', six trumpets,' eight first violins,- -eight second-vio-lins,: eight third violins, siififst'bass viols,. six second, and six. third. The opera,: which had' only one act,. lasts" for an hour -and- 50imiriutes. r