I'm sure I've managed to anger a few with this title, but bear with me. Salome, is a short quick one-act opera in German by Rikard Strauss, who also wrote Also Sprak Zarathustra, and Der Rosencavalier. Lifted right from the stage play by Oscar Wilde, it shocked and horrified our ancestors and made the censors loose their minds.

Needless to say, it was a hit.

Young Salome, the daughter of Queen Herodias, is lusted after by her stepfather, King Herod. But Salome is enthralled by her desire for Jochanan the Baptist, held in a cistern. And of course, the Baptist wants nothing to do with her. And Herodias manipulates her daughter into asking for Jochanan's head literally on a platter, seducing the king into this unholy act by telling her daughter to dance and beguiling the king into granting any wish that she might have. By the end, Salome has lost her mind, and is crushed under the shields of her stepfather's guards.

Yep, kids, that's opera for you! And all through this rather horrifying storyline is some of the most difficult and intense arias ever written.

With the lead role of Salome is coloratura soprano Cheryl Studer, who has a remarkable voice, powerful and yet controlled and crystalline, and she doesn't miss a note or beat in this one. Her voice is sheer temptation and evil as she sinks into madness, relentless in her demands for Jochanan's head, it's spinetingling to hear. In fact, no one in this production misses a cue as they sing through it, and Bryn Terfel as Jochanan is full of fire and faith as his voice booms through the opera, promising both salvation and dire consequences to come. Horst Hiestermann is King Herod, hapless and finally horrified by what he has caused to happen, and Leonie Rysanek as the vengeful Queen Herodias.

Opera isn't for everyone, but just for sheer power of voice and music and tempo, this is a terrific introduction. If you can, find the boxed set which has the opera on two CD discs, and the libretto (a booklet with the words and stage notes in several languages). On stage, if you're lucky to find a production of this one, is worth watching in person.

Guiseppe Sinopoli directs the Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin. Deustche Grammophon is the label.




Recommended: Yes