It is a cult performance, a classic of 20th century directing: Luc Bondy's production, which - after stops in Salzburg, London, Brussels and Milan - will now finally be seen in Vienna. "A highly erotic, highly sublime family chamber play" recognised the newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten in the performance. "One understands why any violation of the family circle means death," wrote the Independent on the London premiere.
The king's daughter Salome is tired of the decadence of her surroundings. She finds an alternative in the chastity of the prophet Jochanaan, imprisoned by her stepfather Herod; his rejection increases her fascination to ecstasy. When Herod promises his stepdaughter everything she could wish for in exchange for a dance, Salome agrees, but demands a high price: the prophet's head.
Musical director Omer Meir Wellber takes over the musical direction. The internationally celebrated soprano Astrid Kessler returns to the Volksoper as Salome, where she has already thrilled audiences as Wally and Countess Mariza. KS Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke enters the family fray as Herod, and as his antithesis Joachanaan: Finnish baritone Tommi Hakala.
Opening premiere of the new season:
Salome
by Richard Strauss
In German with German surtitles
Premiere on 15 September 2023
Further performances on 18, 22 Sept,
23, 26, 29 October 2023
The first premiere of the season is dedicated to a classic of operatic direction!
The Viennese premiere of the opera Salome took place at our theatre on 23 December 1910. Reason enough to take another look at this ecstatic opera in our anniversary season - in which we celebrate 125 years of the Volksoper.
Enabled due to the support of Martin Schlaff