Salome

Opera by RICHARD STRAUSS, 1905, based on a German translation from the original French play by Oscar Wilde, first performed in Dresden.

The story, obliquely connected with the biblical narrative, is centered on Salome, stepdaughter of Herod, king of Judea. John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, is brought to the palace at Salome's request. She is fascinated by him, even though he curses her, and brazenly cries, "I want to kiss your mouth!"

Herod, who lusts after Salome, asks her to dance for him. She agrees on condition that he will fulfill any wish she desires, and she performs the provocative Dance of the Seven Veils. The reward she demands is the severed head of John the Baptist. Horrified, Herod tries to dissuade her from her monstrous intention but yields in the end. When the head is brought out on a platter, Salome mocks it: "You wouldn't let me kiss your mouth!" she cries, and kisses it passionately on the lips. Provoked beyond endurance by this act of depravity, Herod commands the guards to kill her.

The score is a masterpiece of stark realism, set to music of overwhelming power, ranging from exotic melodiousness to crashing DISSONANCE. The opera aroused unusually vehement opposition when it was staged at the Metropolitan Opera in N.Y. in 1907. The moralistic uproar in the public and press was such that the management was compelled to cancel further performances. It took two decades for the American public to accept it.

Strauss also wrote a French version (Salomé).