LISTEN TO HER

Based on Richard Strauss’ opera Elektra (1909), rearranged for electronic instruments and singers
Duration: One-act opera, 70 minutes 
Cast: 8 electro/acoustic musicians, 2 human performers and 1 artificial performer 
Project by Andro Manzoni / composer & sound designer, co-director

With this work, we are experiencing the work of Strauss, from the point of view of Chrysothemis. The story of Elektra is told through the voice of her sister Chrysothemis, the forgotten one in history who has been telling her memories since time immemorial. The idea is therefore not to immerse the spectators in the heart of the action, but in the memory of it; with its evanescence, its nostalgia, its trauma, its embroidery to bridge the gaps. Like a storyteller, Chrysothemis brings forth a world, silhouettes, which fall back into dust as soon as she stops speaking.  Indeed, from the monologues of Chrysothemis and Orestes, we place Chrysothemis as the one who shares this story with us. The viewer is immersed in a space where Chrysothemis is neither outside nor inside, is both a member of this family and at the same time witness to a story that is not hers and to which she will never really take part. Dramaturgy is preceded by a collage of texts between the libretto Elektra by Richard Strauss and the poems Chrysothemis and Orestes by Yannis Ritsos.

Presented the idea in 2021:
Soprano: SONGHA LEE
Music & sound design: ANDRO MANZONI, FRANCIS ST-GERMAIN
Scenography: MARIE BONNEMAISON, BLANDINE GRANIER, LÉA TILLIET
Light: MADHILDA BOUDDAU , ELIE MARTIN
Costume: MARNIE LANGLOIS, GABRIELLA LOPEZ 
Photo: LÉA TILLIET
Special thanks to CÉSAR FLORES (YT Digitaccompanist)

Presented idea in 2025:
Performed by THE ESTONIAN ELECTRONIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION ENSEMBLE and DIMI
Arrangement: ANDRO MANZONI, TAAVI KERIKMÄE