Salome’s biblical story was first used by Oscar Wilde as the basis for a play that was banned in London until 1907. Richard Strauss was so taken by the images of lust, color, familial intertwinement and the shocking final scene, that he set the story as an opera, which premiered in Dresden in 1905.

 

 

Most famous for the Dance of the Seven Veils, “Salome” is a compact one-act opera written in the style of Wagner’s late-Romantic Germanic style, using leitmotifs (melodies with textual connotations) and continuous musical textures. Salome’s character as a femme fatale, who called for the head of St. John the Baptist, makes for one of the highest emotional values in opera.

 

 

Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre’s production will feature stage direction by Gregory Keller of The Metropolitan Opera and Daniel Kleinknecht as conductor.

Friday, January 15, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 17, 2 p.m.