When Richard Strauss chose as his subject Oscar Wilde’s “scandalous” Salome, his contemporary audience was shocked that he would dare to present them with the spectacle of John the Baptist and Salome’s erotic, bloody encounter. Nevertheless, at its world premiere in Dresden in 1905, the work proved to be a huge success. Gustav Mahler immediately named it “one of the most important works of our time” at the beginning of the 20th century.
This new direction by Ferenc Anger will premiere as part of the 80th anniversary year of Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre. Andrea Rost will undertake the title role of Salome, considered one of the greatest singing and acting challenges, for the first time in her career. After a dazzling appearance as Desdemona in the 2016 premiere of Othello, this world-famous soprano returns to island’s open-air stage. This performance also marks the reappearance of renowned mezzo-soprano Ildikó Komlósi, who played Azucena in last year’s highly successful premiere of Il trovatore, in the role of Herodias. The Hungarian State Opera House Orchestra will be conducted by Balázs Kocsár.
This premiere is a co-production of Open-Air Theatre and the Hungarian State Opera House.
Featuring: The Hungarian State Opera House Orchestra
Libretto written by Richard Strauss, based on the play by Oscar Wilde
