From the opening measure, Strauss’s score announces itself as exotic and thoroughly compelling. The opera is uniquely demanding on the singers, particularly the title role, which stands as one of the most challenging—and exhilarating—in the repertoire.
Headlining the new staging is soprano Elza van den Heever as the abused and unhinged anti-heroine, who demands the head of Jochanaan, sung by celebrated baritone Peter Mattei. Tenor Gerhard Siegel is Salome’s lecherous stepfather, King Herod, with mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung as his wife, Herodias, and tenor Piotr Buszewski as Narraboth.
Runtime: 135mins (2hrs 15min); no intermission
