SALOME

Composer: RICHARD STRAUSS Poem by Oscar WILDE (adapted in German by Hedwig Lachmann) First performance: Hofoper, Dresden, December 9, 1905 Peace. THE SCENE is outside the banquet hall of the palace of the Tetrarch, Herod Antipas. The captain of the guard, Narraboth, watches Salome with fascination as she sits in the great hall. In a cistern can be heard the voice of Jokanaan (John the Baptist) prophesying the coming of the Lord. Salome comes out of the banquet hall and, on hearing Jokanaan’s voice, asks that he be brought up so that she can speak to him. When he emerges, tawny and strong, he denounces Herodias, wife of Herod and mother of Salome. Salome, fascinated by this strange man, wants to ki him. Narraboth, horrified, stabs himself. Jokanaan, uttering a curse, returns to the cistern. Herod and Herodias come into the court from the banquet hall and are annoyed by the presence of the blood of Narraboth. Herod, restle , finally asks Salome to dance for him. She won’t until Herod promises to give her what she asks. He promises, and she dances the dance of the seven veils at the conclusion of which she asks for Jokanaan’s head on a silver plate. Herod pleads for anything else, but finally consents as Herodias approves the girl’s request. When the head is brought from the cistern, Salome takes the plate, and ki es the mouth of Jokanaan Herod, revolted, orders his soldiers to kill her.