SALOME
Music by Richard Strauss
Libretto by Hedwig Lachmann
Narraboth, young captain of the guard, gazes rapturously at the beautiful princess Salome, feasting with her stepfather, the tetrarch Herod, and his court. A page, warning him not to stare so intently at the young princess lest something terrible happen, fails to rouse Narraboth from his trance. The voice of the prophet John proclaims the Messiah’s greatness, echoing from a deep cavern, where he has been imprisoned by the tetrarch; two soldiers comment on the prophet’s kindness and Herod’s fear of him.
Salome, disturbed by Herod’s lecherous glances and his strange guests, escapes from the banquet room for a breath of fresh air. The voice of John echoes again, this time hurling curses at the sinful Herodias, Salome’s mother. The girl’s curiosity is aroused, but the soldiers refuse her request to see the prisoner. She turns her pleas to Narraboth, who, unable to resist her, orders that John be let out. First shocked by the sight of the austere prophet, who denounces her mother anew, Salome grows fascinated by the deathly pallor of his body and pours out her uncontrollable desire to touch his hair, skin, and lips, ignoring his repudiation and Narraboth’s protests. When Narraboth, in horror and despair, stabs himself, the prophet urges Salome to seek salvation in the Messiah. When she continues to beg for his kiss, John descends into his prison, cursing her. Salome collapses in frustration and longing.
Looking for Salome, Herod appears. Commenting on the strange look of the moon, he slips in Narraboth’s blood and, unnerved, is overcome by hallucinations. Herodias scornfully dismisses his fantasies and suggests they withdraw, but Herod's attentions turn to Salome. Though he tries to win her favor with offers of food and wine, the princess spurns his advances. Renewed abuse from the subterranean voice enrages Herodias, who demands that Herod turn the prophet over to the Jews. He refuses, maintaining that John is a holy man, a man who has seen God. His words incite an argument among the Jews concerning the nature of God as well as a narrative of Christ's miracles by two Nazarenes. As John continues his denunciation, the queen furiously commands his silence.
Herod begs Salome to dance for him. She refuses, consenting only when he promises any reward she asks. The girl demands a sacred oath from Herod, which he gladly makes. Herodias pleads with Salome not to dance, but the princess dances anyway, slowly shedding her veils and finishing at Herod’s feet. She shocks the monarch by asking that the head of John be brought on a silver platter. She is refused by the horrified Herod, but Herodias laughs approvingly. In desperation, Herod offers alternatives—fabulous jewels, his rare white peacocks, the sacred veil of the Temple. But Salome persists until the king wearily gives in. As an executioner goes to perform the task, Salome waits excitedly in anticipation but soon suspects that the executioner refuses to behead John out of fear. She begins to demand that her wish be obeyed when the executioner delivers the head of John as promised.
As clouds obscure the moon, Salome seizes her reward passionately, addressing John as if he were alive. Outraged and terrified, Herod whispers to Herodias that her daughter is a monster and prepares to leave the room. Just then, as Salome kisses the lips of the severed head, the moon turns crimson. With this omen of disaster, Herod commands that the young girl be put to death.
Courtesy of Opera News