AN OPERATIC SUCCESS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 815, 12 May 1910, Page 3

AN OPERATIC SUCCESS.

"ELEKTEA.".

A great artistic sensation in London I this season has been the production' of Strauss's ."Elektra." : Melba, who was staying in Paris, paid a surprise visit to London in order to , see it. Old-fashioned folk—lovers of Bach and Beethoven—have , perhaps • been' troubled by the monstrous modernity of parts of "Elektra" (says a London writer in an Australian paper). Even the admirers of "Tristan" and "The King" havo'been moved to protest against the out-Wagnering of Wagner. But up- . to-date musicians, and those of the great public who are always ready to welcome a now sensation have been enthusiastic : over Strauss's latest work. "Elektra" may have fanlts, but, unlike much "decadent" art, it is an excellent evening's entertainment. - It is not too long. It is full of musical and dramatic thrills. In Epito of. the complexity of the' score, the Story itself is easy to follow/ and the Tomantio glamour cast • over the tragic story by Strauss's music can be realised , by everyone. Moreover, the score is not I without its charms. As Mr. Charles Graves wrote in a stinging criticism upon ■TSlektra in the "Spectator" recently ■ it is always, refreshing to'-'como upon a C major chord after a sufficiently lone series of discords." "Elektra" also owes much to 1 the stage effects which were possible through the money lavished upon the production. Mr Ihomas Beecham is a member of the family of the famous pill-makers. ll< father, Mr. Joseph Beecham, supported the Covent Garden . enterprise loyally. Whatever may be said of the commodity the Beecham family havo founded their fortunes, jt is certain that the last thing they have.given to London —Strauss s .'Elektra"-has . proved to be worth a guinea a.box."