Recommended for Grades 6-12
In this resource, you’ll:
- Learn the opera’s background and synopsis
- Meet the opera’s composer
Salome
by Richard Strauss
Salome
by Richard Strauss
A quick overview of Strauss’ 1905 passionate drama.
Background
Salome is an opera in one act by Richard Strauss. The libretto is Hedwig Lachmann’s German translation of the 1891 French play Salomé by Oscar Wilde.
The combination of the Christian biblical theme, the erotic and the murderous, which so attracted Wilde to the tale, shocked opera audiences from its first appearance. Some of the original performers were very reluctant to handle the material as written and the original Salome, Marie Wittich, refused to perform the “Dance of the Seven Veils,” having a dancer stand in for her.
Salome was first performed at the Königliches Opernhaus in Dresden in 1905. The Austrian premiere was given at the Graz Opera in 1906 under the composer, with Arnold Schoenberg, Giacomo Puccini, Alban Berg, and Gustav Mahler in the audience. Salome was banned in London by the Lord Chamberlain’s office until 1907.
The United States premiere took place at a special performance by the Metropolitan Opera in 1907. The mixed reviews claimed “that musicians were impressed by the power displayed by the composer” but “the story is repugnant” and it was not performed there again until 1934.
Synopsis
A great terrace in the Palace of Herod, set above the banqueting hall. Some soldiers are leaning over the balcony. To the right there is a gigantic staircase, to the left, at the back, an old cistern surrounded by a wall of green bronze. The moon is shining very brightly.
Narraboth gazes from a terrace in Herod’s palace into the banquet hall at the beautiful Princess Salome; he is in love with her, and apotheosizes her, much to the disgusted fearfulness of the Page of Herodias. The voice of the Prophet Jochanaan is heard from his prison in the palace cistern; Herod fears him and has ordered that no one should contact him, including Jerusalem’s High Priest.
Tired of the feast and its guests, Salome flees to the terrace. When she hears Jochanaan cursing her mother (Herodias), Salome’s curiosity is piqued. The palace guards will not honor her petulant orders to fetch Jochanaan for her, so she teasingly works on Narraboth to bring Jochanaan before her. Despite the orders he has received from Herod, Narraboth finally gives in after she promises to smile at him.
Jochanaan emerges from the cistern and shouts prophecies regarding Herod and Herodias that no one understands, except Salome when the Prophet refers to her mother. Upon seeing Jochanaan, Salome is filled with an overwhelming desire for him, praising his white skin and asking to touch it, but he rejects her. She then praises his black hair, again asking to touch it, but is rejected once more. She finally begs for a kiss from Jochanaan’s lips, and Narraboth, who cannot bear to hear this, kills himself. As Jochanaan is returned to the well, he preaches salvation through the Messiah.
Herod enters, followed by his wife and court. He slips in Narraboth’s blood and starts hallucinating. He hears the beating of wings. Despite Herodias’ objections, Herod stares lustfully at Salome, who rejects him. Jochanaan harasses Herodias from the well, calling her incestuous marriage to Herod sinful. She demands that Herod silence him. Herod refuses and she mocks his fear. Five Jews argue concerning the nature of God. Two Nazarenes tell of Christ’s miracles; at one point, they bring up the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead, which Herod finds frightening.
Herod asks for Salome to eat with him, drink with him; indolently, she twice refuses, saying she is not hungry or thirsty. Herod then begs Salome to dance for him, though her mother objects. He promises to reward her with her heart’s desire—even if it were one half of his kingdom.
After Salome inquires into his promise, and he swears to honor it, she prepares for the “Dance of the Seven Veils.” This dance, very oriental in orchestration, has her slowly removing her seven veils, until she lies naked at his feet. Salome then demands the head of the prophet on a silver platter. Her mother cackles in pleasure. Herod tries to dissuade her with offers of jewels, peacocks, and the sacred veil of the Temple. Salome remains firm in her demand for Jochanaan’s head, forcing Herod to accede to her demands. After a desperate monologue by Salome, an executioner emerges from the well and delivers the severed head as she requested.
Salome now declares her love for the severed head, caressing it and kissing the prophet’s dead lips passionately. Horrified, Herod orders his soldiers, “Kill that woman!” They rush forward and crush Salome under their shields.
Meet the Artists
Listen to the Story
Armand Point (1861–1932), Dance Of the Seven Veils, oil on canvas, circa 1890 [].
Presented by Washington National Opera, host Saul Lilienstein takes you through the musical world of Strauss’ 1905 passionate drama, Salome.
Watch an Excerpt
“Dance of the Seven Veils” from Richard Strauss’ Salomé at Opéra Royal de Wallonie in Liège.
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