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Richard Strauss

Salome

Duration
1 h 45 min, No interval
When
11.10.2024 – 31.10.2024
Where
Main Stage
Genre
Opera
Price range
21–126 €
Language
German. Surtitles in Finnish, Swedish and English
Age recommendation
16+
Good to know
The performance contains some scenes with sexual violence

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.

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

Herodes
Daniel Brenna
Herodias
Karin Lovelius
Salome
Nina Bezu
Narraboth
Mihails Čulpajevs
Jochanaan
Tuomas Pursio
Herodia's page
Elli Vallinoja
1st Jew
Conny Thimander
2nd Jew
Lasse Penttinen
3rd Jew
Tuomas Miettola
4th Jew
Alexander Kravets
1st Nazarene
Erik Rousi
2nd Nazarene
Joel Forsström
1st soldier
Jouni Kokora
2nd soldier
Hannu Forsberg
A Cappadocian
Juha Pikkarainen
A Slave
Heikki Hattunen

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 77–92 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

the keys to an entertaining evening

Order refreshments

Enjoy refreshments
before the show
or in the interval.
See the diverse menu
and place an order
in advance.

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.
Learn the easiest
ways to get here.

Accessible seats

You can purchase accessible tickets online or via our customer services. Learn more about
accessibility at
the Opera House.