Richard Strauss
Salome
The divine role of power
Based on a play by Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), Salome is one of the most intense and powerful operas ever created. Sensational in its time, Salome was received with both wonder and shock, thanks to its theme combining religion and eroticism and its groundbreaking musical language.
After Salome’s world premiere in 1905, Richard Strauss became an opera composer whose name was on everyone’s lips. In his electrifying revision, the masterful director Christof Loy now presents the classic work from a fresh perspective. This one-act opera captivates its audience with its unexpected elements and profound insights.
Salome returns to the Finnish National Opera’s repertoire in the autumn of 2024.
”This high standard, international and stylish production of Salome delightfully defies staid expectations.”
– Helsingin Sanomat
watch trailer
synopsis
Herod is keeping the prophet Jochanaan imprisoned. When Herodias’s daughter Salome hears Jochanaan preach about the Son of Man, her curiosity is piqued and she is overcome by a strange emotion. Not long after, she wants Jochanaan brought to her.
Exploiting Narraboth’s infatuation, Salome gets to meet Jochanaan. She is immediately charmed and her curiosity soon turns into lust. Salome eventually wants to kiss Jochanaan, but the prophet rejects her advances.
Herod pleads Salome to dance. In return he promises her anything she wants. Salome agrees to perform the Dance of the Seven Veils and, once finished, reveals the reward of her choice: Jochanaan’s head on a silver platter. Herod is horrified by her request, but in the end Salome gets what she was promised.
Full synopsis and other background information can be found in the programme leaflet.
gallery
creative team
- Music
- Richard Strauss
- Libretto after Oscar Wilde's play
- Richard Strauss
- German translation
- Hedwig Lachmann
- Conductor
- Hannu Lintu
- Director
- Christof Loy
- Sets
- Johannes Leiacker
- Costumes
- Robby Duiveman
- Choreography
- Klevis Elmazaj
- Lighting design
- Olaf Winter
cast
- 4th Jew
- Alexander Kravets
Stage24: More about the work
listen to salome
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tickets and performances
Lucky Dip tickets available to this performance
Lucky Dip is a great value ticket, especially if you’re not that fussy about where in the auditorium you’re seated. We guarantee a good seat worth 89–103 euro at least for just 49–59 euro. You can buy your Lucky Dip ticket for the performance as early as you like, but you’ll only find out your seat on the day of the performance.
Enjoy before the show
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Programme booklets
Programme booklets
are sold by our
customer services,
the Opera Restaurant,
and our lobby
personnel for 7 euros.
Arriving at the Opera House
The Opera House
is located by the
Töölönlahti bay at
Helsinginkatu 58.
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Accessible seats
You can purchase accessible tickets online or via our customer services. Learn more about
accessibility at
the Opera House.