San Diego Opera: Salome at San Diego Civic Theatre

You’ve heard about the famous (or, at the time of the opera’s premiere, infamous) ‘Dance of the Seven Veils’, frequently performed in concert by dramatic sopranos.

You’ve also heard about the opera that makes seemingly ‘impossible’ demands of its performers, requiring enormous vocal ranges and skill, alongside exceptional acting expertise.

Richard Strauss’ ‘Salome’ is it – ‘The Shining’ and the Edgar Allan Poe of opera.

Based on Oscar Wilde’s play of the same name, the story follows that of the biblical Princess Salome, who becomes infatuated with John the Baptist, a prisoner of her stepfather, King Herod. Promised anything she wants, she demands the head of John the Baptist, which King Herod delivers without fail –at a price.

The opera in one act, a unique combination of a biblical story, the erotic and the murderous, premiered in 1905 at the Königliches Opernhaus in Dresden, shocking audiences with its provocative, intriguing, dark, and unsettling themes. The opera made its United States premiere in 1907, but under pressure from wealthy patrons, it was cancelled. It was not performed again until 1934 and is now a well-established part of operatic repertoire, with regular performances worldwide.

‘Salome’ is quite the experience: when the clarinet slithers up a disjointed scale at the outset, it is clear that the curtain is rising on a proper Twentieth-century work of art. The unique timbres, chaotic prose rhythms, expressionist dissonances, and virtuosic manipulation of expectations reflect enormous, unparalleled originality, while the masterpiece demands everything and then some of its cast, and the lush orchestration showcases the orchestra in all its multi-colored glory.

The cast for the 2024/2025 season performance of ‘Salome’ features Marcy Stonikas as Salome, Dennis Petersen as Herod, Kyle Albertson as Jochanaan, Nina Warren as Herodias, and Ben Werley as Narraboth.

The San Diego Civic Theatre is one of the largest performance venues on the West Coast. Boasting a seating capacity of 2,967 and offering some of the best entertainment around, the San Diego Civic Theatre is a go-to for many for a great evening out. Seating is spread across the orchestra floor, mezzanine, dress circle, and balcony, offering the best views, superb acoustics, and an overall incredible experience!