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photo from 2006 production of Salome

Salome 2006

July 22 - August 16, 2006

The Biblical princess who unveils her most diabolical passions…

Richard Strauss orchestrated a “38-curtain-call” world premiere when he set Oscar Wilde’s play to music.

Music By
Richard Strauss
Based on the play by
Oscar Wilde
German translation by
Hedwig Lachmann

Synopsis

Synopsis

A terrace of Herod’s palace on the shores of Lake Galilee in 30 A.D. Narraboth is obsessed with Salome, who is inside feasting with her stepfather Herod and his court. The voice of the prophet Jokanaan is heard, echoing from a deep cistern where he has been imprisoned, proclaiming the Messiah’s greatness. Salome, bored with Herod’s lechery, rushes out to the terrace. She becomes curious when she hears Jokanaan curse Herodias, her mother, whom he denounces for her “incestuous” second marriage. When the guards refuse to let her speak to Jokanaan, Salome coaxes Narraboth, who orders that the prisoner be released. Salome is fascinated by Jokanaan’s white body and black hair, pouring out her uncontrollable desire to touch him, but the prophet rejects her. When Salome continues begging for the opportunity to kiss Jokanaan’s red lips, Narraboth stabs himself in horror. The prophet descends into the cistern, cursing the girl.

Looking for Salome, Herod appears, followed by his wife Herodias and his court. He slips in Narraboth’s blood and begins hallucinating. Herod’s thoughts return to Salome, who again spurns his overtures. Jokanaan’s subterranean voice is heard harassing Herodias, who demands that Herod turn the prophet over to the Jews. Herod refuses. Jokanaan prophesies again about the Messiah who will be “the Saviour of the world” and foretells other events which further terrify Herod and Herodias. Herod begs Salome to divert him by dancing and offers her anything she might wish in return. Salome makes him swear he will live up to his promise, then dances, shedding her veils and finishing at Herod’s feet. She shocks Herod by asking for the head of Jokanaan on a silver platter. Herod refuses and offers alternatives, but Salome persists until Herod relents. The executioner descends into the cistern, returning with Jokanaan’s head. Salome passionately seizes her reward, addressing the prophet’s head as if he were still alive and ecstatically kissing his lips. Herod commands that Salome be killed.

Artists

Janice Watson headshot

Janice Watson

Soprano

Salome

Greer Grimsley headshot

Greer Grimsley

Bass-baritone

Jokanaan

Ragnar Ulfung headshot

Ragnar Ulfung

Tenor

Herod

Anne-Marie Owens headshot

Anne-Marie Owens

Mezzo-soprano

Herodias

Dimitri Pittas headshot

Dimitri Pittas

Tenor

Narraboth

Claudia Huckle headshot

Claudia Huckle

Mezzo-soprano

Page

Ricardo L. Lugo headshot

Ricardo L. Lugo

Bass

First Soldier

David Salsbery Fry headshot

David Salsbery Fry

Bass

Second Soldier

Andrea Silvestrelli headshot

Andrea Silvestrelli

Bass

Cappadocian

Leena Chopra headshot

Leena Chopra

Soprano

Slave

David Cangelosi headshot

David Cangelosi

Tenor

First Jew

Corey Bix headshot

Corey Bix

Tenor

Second Jew

Aaron Blake Headshot

Aaron Blake

Tenor

Third Jew

Edwin Vega headshot

Edwin Vega

Tenor

Fourth Jew

Joshua Bloom headshot

Joshua Bloom

Bass

Fifth Jew

Andrew Funk headshot

Andrew Funk

Bass

First Nazarene

Wade Thomas headshot

Wade Thomas

Baritone

Second Nazarene

John Fiore headshot

John Fiore

Conductor

Bruce Donnell headshot

Bruce Donnell

Director

Neil Patel headshot

Neil Patel

Scenic Designer

Duane Schuler headshot

Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Sara Rudner headshot

Sara Rudner

Choreographer