“Allein, weh ganz allein” (Elektra's Monologue) from Elektra by Richard Strauss

Alexandra Loutsion, Soprano with Josh Quinn, Piano

Recorded October 2021

Elektra reflects on her father's murder at the hands of her mother and step father. She calls to him from the grave, and relays her dreams of the day when she and her brother Orest can avenge his death.

“Ambizioso spirto...Vieni t'affretta…Or tutti sorgete” from Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi

Alexandra Loutsion, Soprano with Josh Quinn, Piano

Recorded October 2021

In her opening aria, Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband telling her that he has been promoted to Thane of Cawdor. In the next sentence however, he explains that he encountered three witches who predicted that he will actually become King of Scotland in the near future. Lady Macbeth is excited at the prospect of this, but wonders aloud if Macbeth, in spite of his ambition, is wicked enough to take the throne and wield power. She then finds out that the King is coming to their castle that evening, and takes it as a sign. She calls to the ministers of hell to aid her in her new plan: murder the King of Scotland.