The Getty Villa in Malibu will make the classical world of Greek drama come alive. Sophocles’ classic Elektra will be performed at the estate’s theater September 9 to October 2 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Elektra is considered one of the greatest Greek tragedies. It tells the story of the murdered hero Agamemnon’s daughter and her struggles with her mother Clytemnestra. Elektra and her brother Orestes seek vengeance for their father’s demise while their mother pursues her passion with her paramour Aegisthus. Viewer will take part in an evening of intrique and suspense beneath the stars at the Getty Villa.
The Getty Villa is also the ideal setting to appreciate the context of Greek dramatic traditions. This August 26, the Getty Villa is opening a new special exhibition: “The Art of Ancient Greek Theater.†The first exhbition on this topic in sixty years, the program traces the origins of theatrical traditions and their patron god Dionysus. It will present comic and tragic masks used in performances of Greek drams. You will also see artistic depictions of ancient Greek actors performing their crafts.
A large exhibition hall at the Getty Villa is also devoted to Greek theater and other exhibitions there highlight the subject further. You will see that individual actors performed many different parts in the same play by using different masks and how the exaggerated features of the masks filled the different characters with passion and emotion. The Villa is full of tributes to Greek traditions of learning and appreciating the performing arts, such as a terracotta vase of a young man studying to play the harp with his music teacher. The museum explains in detail how these traditions traveled throughout the Mediterranean region and became the foundation for much of today’s culture.
There is an admission charge and you must reserve in advance. Printed tickets are required to enter the Getty Villa. You can order online at www.getty.edu or call (310) 440-7300.
