Princess Salome is disgusted by the decadence and immorality of her surroundings. She finds a striking contrast in the purity of the prophet Jochanaan, who is being held captive in a cistern by her stepfather Herodes and whose radiant speeches cast a spell over her. Jochanaan’s rejection only heightens her fascination to the point of ecstasy: Salome wants to kiss him. When the Herodes she despises promises his stepdaughter anything she could wish for in exchange for a dance, Salome is determined. She agrees—but demands a high price in return: the head of the prophet.

Luc Bondy’s timeless production is a directing classic of the late 20th century. After its premiere at the Salzburg Festival in 1992, it was celebrated by critics as a “highly sublime family chamber drama” that “makes the work itself the hero,” with the verdict “Richard Strauss as a psychological thriller.” It was later staged, among other places, at the Royal Opera House in London, at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, and at La Scala in Milan. In 2023, it had its Vienna premiere at the Volksoper in the staged realisation by Marie-Louise Bischofberger-Bondy and will now return to the stage.

(Quelle: volksoper.at)