Owens makes opera debut

By Rachelle Roe

The 2023/2024 season continues at The Dallas Opera (TDO), on Friday, Feb. 9 with Richard Strauss’ retelling of the classic Greek tragedy, “Elektra.” Three additional performances take place on February 11 (matinee), 14 and 17, at the Winspear Opera House. The February 17 performance will also be livestreamed.

This new-to-Dallas production of Elektra stars soprano Marjorie Owens, who — having attended Baylor University and won the 2002 Dallas Opera National Vocal Competition — makes her TDO debut in the iconic title role. Soprano Angela Meade plays her sister, Chrysothemis; baritone Alfred Walker as their brother, Orest, also in his Dallas Opera debut; and mezzo-soprano Jill Grove as their murderous mother Klytämnestra.

The Dallas Opera’s production from Lyric Opera of Chicago, originally directed by Sir David McVicar, is directed by Nick Sandys, in his company debut, with set and costume design by John Macfarlane and lighting design by Jennifer Tipton. The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

Outside the royal palace, five maids discuss the erratic behavior of Elektra, who has been condemned to a menial existence after the murder of her father, Agamemnon. Obsessing with vengeance, Elektra swears that she and her siblings — Orest and Chrysothemis — will exact revenge on their mother, Klytämnestra and her lover, Aegisth, who are, in turn, plotting against her.

Elektra reveals to Chrysothemis that she has kept the axe that was used to murder their father, and intends to give it to Orest to murder Klytämnestra and Aegisth. Chrysothemis flees, wanting no part in her sister’s plan. After Orest commits the double murder, Elektra performs a triumphal dance in mad ecstasy, falling to the ground dead.

The Dallas Opera continues to offer FREE pre- and post-opera discussions, such as the Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk. Hosted by Hank Hammett, director of opera at Meadows School of the Arts (SMU), this interactive 30-minute lecture begins one hour before the start of each opera in the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall. Admission is free with your ticket to a Dallas Opera performance.

Sunday Post-Opera Talkback: Immediately following the Sunday matinee performance from the stage, this brief and casual Q&A session with members of the cast gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the performance. 

These are hosted by Ian Derrer, The Kern Wildenthal general director and CEO at The Dallas Opera. For more, visit dallasopera.org.