Classical and Jazz: Preview - Salome at the Royal Opera House
Published: 01 July 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
SALOME is shedding her veils again at the Royal Opera House on Saturday in a revival of Richard Strauss’s one-acter based on Oscar Wilde’s play.
David McVicar’s relocation of the opera to 1938 Germany drew mixed comment when his production premiered last season. But that’s partly due to the opera’s changing reputation over time.
With is biblical, erotic and murderous themes, the opera shocked audiences when it was first performed in 1905.
But now, with so much gratuitous erotica and murder on the box nightly, the opera has lost much of its power to shock.
Neither the sight of Salome making love to the severed head of John the Baptist nor her veil shedding is likely to cause offence.
Although it’s lost its shocking reputation, the opera is still much-loved by Strauss fans for its unquestioned musical vitality, for its musical portrayal of Herod’s decadence, lust and fear.
Even more so, Strauss provides a brilliant musical study of Salome herself. Every twist and turn in her character is reflected in the music, no more so than when she cradles John the Baptist’s severed head in her adoring hands.
The demanding title role is being sung by the brilliant German soprano Angela Denoke; she’s previously sung Salome in Munich, Vienna and Berlin.
• Salome, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 020 7304 4000, July 3, at 8pm,
tickets from £5 (four more performances till July 16)