A guide to Richard Strauss' Salome
Salome, after performing a seductive dance of the seven veils at the request of Herod her lascivious stepfather, the young princess demands the head of John the Baptist. Salome claims her gruesome trophy and after an ecstatic act of necrophilia, she too meets a violent end. Opera composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen unpacks ”Salome" a succès de scandale for composer Richard Strauss. We examine the legend, history, the music and also explore some iconic recordings and productions of the opera.
Strauss' opera "Salome" is based on a play by Oscar Wilde. The play was initially banned in London and the opera would go on to create scandal on both sides of the Atlantic, with New York financier Morgan orchestrating its closure at the Met after one performance (such was the horror that the ladies had to hide their faces with their programmes!) A local production of Salome will be presented at Artscape March 15, this talk is an introductory guide to this legendary tale of incest, lust, necrophilia and violence.
Bongani Ndodana-Breen has written a wide range of music from operas, symphonic works to chamber and vocal works. He has received numerous commissions from leading arts organizations such as Wigmore Hall London, Miller Theatre NYC, Haydn Festival Eisenstadt Austria, UNISA, SAMRO, Madam Walker Theatre Indianapolis, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and many others.
He is the recipient of the 1988 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music, and was named one of the Mail and Guardians 200 Young South Africans of 2011
He is the recipient of the 1988 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music, and was named one of the Mail and Guardians 200 Young South Africans of 2011
Audience Responses
Five stars plus, Bongani has a unique Talent!
Was like a very good lecture. Maybe allow at least 5 min for questions from the audience at the end.
Very informative and accessible to people who are beginners in Opera.
Was like a very good lecture. Maybe allow at least 5 min for questions from the audience at the end.