Électre (Gouvy)

Électre is a tragic opera in two acts by Théodore Gouvy, with a libretto by Charles Grandmougin. It premiered on 1 June 1893 at the Théâtre de l'Opéra in Paris. The opera is based on the ancient Greek myth of Electra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra.

The opera tells the story of Electra's thirst for vengeance against her mother, Clytemnestra, and her stepfather, Aegisthus, for the murder of her father, Agamemnon. She awaits the return of her brother, Orestes, to help her carry out this revenge. The opera explores themes of justice, vengeance, family loyalty, and the psychological torment of Electra.

The music is typical of late 19th-century French opera, with a strong emphasis on melody and dramatic orchestration. While not a lasting success in the operatic repertoire, Électre represents a notable example of Gouvy's operatic output and reflects the enduring fascination with Greek mythology in the arts. It received some critical attention at the time of its premiere, but subsequently faded into obscurity.