"I think it is very hard to open one´s heart to a character like Salome. Luc Bondy illuminates the whole family situation so that the onus of her being such a monster is taken away. It´s the shared responsibility of the family. There is nothing worse than playing a character like that just for its evil aspects and not seeing the beauty of the character. If Salome had just taken a step slightly differently, she might have ended up another kind of glorious creature. She is not just a bad seed. There were other possibilities, but somehow, in her development, they were cut off." (Catherine Malfitano)

Galilee, 30 A.D. Salome, stepdaughter of Herod, tries to seduce his prisoner, Jochanaan, who unequivocally rejects her. Herod, in contrast, is entranced by Salome and offers her anything she desires if she will dance for him. After her dance, she demands the head of Jochanann. Herod reluctantly gives in and watches Salome as she revels in her prize, kissing the severed head. Herod, sickened by the scene, orders Salome's death.

Comments by Richard Strauss:
"I didn´t want to treat him (Jochanaan) too seriously. You know, Jochanaan is an imbecile. I´ve got not sympahty at all for that kind of man. I would have preferred above all that he would appear a bit grotesque."

"Herodes in particular must remember, amidst the comings and goings of the hysterical crowd, that he should endeavor, Eastern parvenu though he is, to preserve his dignity and composure before his Roman guests... notwithstanding all momentary erotic indiscretions."

The dance should be"as serious and controlled as possible, thoroughly restrained... greater movement only in the C-sharp-minor passage and in the last two-four a rather orgiastic climax"

PRODUCTION OF THE DEUTSCHE OPER BERLIN - PREMIERED 1990