zoom_in Click to enlarge

Richard Strauss: Salome

▲ ▼

description Richard Strauss: Salome Overview

Salome is a one-act opera by the German composer Richard Strauss, based on the German translation of the play of the same name by Oscar Wilde. Premiering in 1905, the work is renowned for its modernist harmonic language and dissonant score. The plot centers on the biblical character Salome and her obsessive desire for Jochanaan (John the Baptist), culminating in the famous "Dance of the Seven Veils." The opera's intense psychological drama has secured its place in the international operatic repertoire.

help Richard Strauss: Salome FAQ

What is the plot of Richard Strauss's opera Salome?

The opera centers on the biblical character Salome, who demands the head of Jochanaan (John the Baptist) as a reward for dancing for her stepfather, King Herod. Her request is granted, leading to a gruesome, psychological climax.

What was the source material for Richard Strauss's Salome?

The libretto was written by Strauss himself, based on the German translation of a play by Oscar Wilde. The opera premiered in 1905 and was instantly notorious for its intense, dissonant modernist score.

What is the most famous musical passage from the opera Salome?

The 'Dance of the Seven Veils' is the most famous and recognizable orchestral excerpt from the opera. It is a complex, exotic musical piece performed during Salome's seductive dance for King Herod.

Why was Salome heavily censored when it was first released?

The opera was heavily censored and even banned in several cities due to its combination of explicit biblical themes, necrophilia, and violent gore. The depiction of a woman passionately kissing a severed head on stage shocked early 20th-century audiences.

swap_horiz

Looking for Richard Strauss: Salome alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward