The festival production of Richard Strauss’s Salome tells a story of loneliness and the fate of its main character — a teenage girl raised by a morally dubious mother and her consort, King Herod. The narrative is set against the backdrop of the long-standing religious and social conflict of the Middle East.
Salome is a one-act opera composed by Richard Strauss in 1905, based on Oscar Wilde’s play of the same name. The libretto, written by Strauss himself, is a German adaptation of Wilde’s original French-language drama.
The opera takes place in King Herod’s palace in Judea and recounts the biblical story of Princess Salome, who captivates Herod with her Dance of the Seven Veils in exchange for the head of John the Baptist (referred to in the opera as Jokanaan). The work stands out for its expressionistic musical language, rich orchestration, and intense emotional and psychological depth.
Salome premiered on December 9, 1905, in Dresden and caused a scandal due to its bold themes and eroticism, yet it quickly gained recognition as one of the masterpieces of 20th-century opera.
By permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.
