Strauss: Salome - An Analysis

Vince Sheehan explores this opera, first performed in 1905, playing musical examples on both the violin and piano. Extracts from recording: Sinopoli/ Orchestra of German Opera Berlin (©DG) also used. Numbers below refer to rehearsal sections in the score (Dover).
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Salome (distillation of plot: the destructive, obsessive power of disordered desire)
Scene 1 (Narraboth is infatuated with Salome - the imprisoned Jochanaan is discussed by the guards )
1. Wie schon ist die: A, B(4), A1(6+3).
2. Nach mir wird: A(11+3), B(14+6), A1
Transition (18+7).
Scene 2 (Salome persuades Narraboth to bring the prophesying Jochanaan up to the surface from his prison under the ground).
1. Ich will nicht bleiben: A(20+5), B(30+9), A1 (31), B1(39), A2(41+5), C(45+5), Transition (46+9).
2. O, was wird gescheh'n: A(48), B(51+4), A1(53), B1(54+9), A2(55)
Transition (59)
Scene 3 (Jochanaan rejects Salome’s advances. Narraboth kills himself).
1. Wo ist er: A(65+9), B(69)
2. Er ist schrecklich: A(76), B(80)
3. Jochanaan!: A(91+3), B(96)
4. Weintrauben: A(102), B(109)
5. Deinen Mund: A(114), B(122+5).
6. Nachen auf dem See: A(132), B(136)
Transition (140+9).
Scene 4 (Salome dances for Herod. She demands the head of Jochanaan in return. After kissing his decapitated head, a disgusted Herod orders her to be killed).
1. Wo ist Salome?: A(154+4), B(164)
2. Salome, komm, trink: A(172+4), B(173+3), A1(176+3), B1(179+4), A2(181+4), B2(183+2)
3. Sieh, die Zeit: A(184+4), B(186)
4. Wahrhaftig Herr: A(188), B(204+4)
5. Siehe, der Tag: A(207), B(210)
6. Eine werden sie: A(215+7), B(220)
7. Tanz fur mich: A(223+5), B(227+4), C(233+2), D(243)
8. Salome's Dance: Introduction, A(B14), B(P7), C(R9), A1(V), D(Y), Coda(h11)
9. Ah! Herrlich!: A, B(249+7), C(254+6), B1(255+5), C1(257+3), B2(260+5), C2(264+8), B3(270+13), C3(273+5), B4(279), C4(281), B5(284+3), C5(284+5), B6(297+11), D(298)
10. Wer hat meinen Ring: A(299+4), B(304+3)
11. Ah! Du wolltest mich: A(314), B(319), C(322+5), D(326+2), E(328+7), F(337), G(340+8), H(348)
12. Sie ist ein Ungeheuer: A(350+6), B(354+8), C(361+5).

[@Mennito.31]

Simply brilliant ! Thanks. I know the opera by heart but never understood its architecture

[@davidvscalvim2836]

Thank you for this! Do an analysis of Elektra, please. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@vincentsheehan3193]

I'll put it on my list! Cheers!

[@EricGross]

Outstanding review and analysis. Brilliant

[@JamesThomas-fj7ih]

Thanks that was just the introduction I was needing. I haven't seen Salome for over 20 years, and it's curtain up in 70 minutes! Cheers.

[@vincentsheehan3193]

Glad it was helpful!

[@justintanas9280]

Another great video

[@user-xk4bl4dm2o]

❤

[@dickwagenaar3684]

Very instructive for one who has loved the music and the psychological drama of it since my twenties, many years ago.