Salome

Musical drama in one act based on Oscar Wilde's poem of the same title (1905)

recommended for 16 years and older

In German. With German and English surtitles.

"The secret of love is greater than the secret of death" (Salome)

"How beautiful Princess Salome is tonight!". Oscar Wilde's French drama, arranged as opera text by the composer himself, was a stroke of genius of the fin de siècle, a scandal on one hand and an absolute hit on the other, both an artistic and a financial success which allowed Richard Strauss to buy his villa in Garmisch. Salome demands the head of the prophet, John the Baptist, who has rejected her, from her lustful stepfather – and bound by an oath, he cannot deny her. And so the zealous admonisher dies, and with him the princess is undone – "Kill this woman!". Krzysztof Warlikowski is convinced that Salome recounts many of the contradictions of the period of origin, that in this piece, however, much is also dismissed of that which at the time was still the future: "It's not just what's in the work of art itself that is important, whether it be Oscar Wilde or Richard Strauss, but rather the whole context, which Christianity and the history of the 20th century add to this piece."

Synopsis

Salome can no longer bear her stepfather Herod’s party, yet there is no escaping his house. In her distress, she appears especially beautiful to Narraboth, who can barely keep his eyes from her. The voice of a man imprisoned by Herod catches Salome’s attention. This man, known as Iokanaan, prophesizes the end of the world and the dawn of a new age. Salome convinces Narraboth to defy Herod’s orders and arrange a meeting for her with Iokanaan. He denounces the corruption of Salome’s family; however, his morally-harsh admonishments only serve to increase her interest in him, rising to a sexual desire that Iokanaan strongly rejects. Narraboth, who witnesses this interaction, takes his own life. Iokanaan advises Salome to seek salvation and redemption in Christ. Instead, she continues to press for carnal relations, and he curses her repeatedly. Salome is left distraught.

Herod is looking for Salome and finds Narraboth dead, filling him with the fear of possible doom. In front of his wife Herodias’ eyes, he unashamedly flirts with her daughter. Iokanaan’s vociferous condemnation of Herodias and her vicious moral conduct ignite a discussion amongst those present about the alleged prophet, and the questions of whether and how God will appear. As Iokanaan appeals for Herodias’ misdemeanours to be severely punished, she loses control of herself and demands that Herod gag him. As if unaffected by this, Herod wishes to see Salome dance and promises her the fulfilment of every imaginable desire in return. Against her mother’s will, she agrees.

She dances as if her life depends on it.

Afterwards, she requests Iokanaan’s head as her reward. Herod has qualms about killing a man he views as holy. Salome, however, refuses all her stepfather’s other offers and demands he keep his word. Herod relents. He orders Iokanaan be killed and his head brought to Salome.

Salome attempts to understand love and death, and kisses Iokanaan’s mouth. For a moment, she believes she has triumphed over him, but then realises her own death is approaching.

Program and cast

Duration est. 1 hours 45 minutes

Conductor: Thomas Guggeis

Director: Krzysztof Warlikowski

Production Assistant: Marielle Kahn

Stage Designer: Małgorzata Szczęśniak

Lighting: Felice Ross

Video: Kamil Polak

Choreographer: Claude Bardouil

Dramaturge: Miron HakenbeckMalte Krasting

Herodes: Gerhard Siegel

Herodias: Claudia Mahnke

Salome: Asmik Grigorian

Jochanaan: Wolfgang Koch

Narraboth: Joachim Bäckström

Ein Page der Herodias: Avery Amereau

Erster Jude: Ya-Chung Huang

Zweiter Jude: Tansel Akzeybek

Dritter Jude: Frederick Ballentine

Vierter Jude: Kevin Conners

Fünfter Jude: Roman Chabaranok

Erster Nazarener: Martin Snell

Zweiter Nazarener: Lucas van Lierop

Erster Soldat: Paweł Horodyski

Zweiter Soldat: Bálint Szabó

Ein Cappadocier: Armand Rabot

Eine Sklavin: Iana Aivazian

Der Tod: Peter Jolesch

Bayerisches Staatsorchester