Theology and the Arts
-
Who’s Afraid of Salome? A Biblical Drama that made Opera History
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024-2025 season is filled with classics and beloved titles mixed with contemporary settings and newer stories. One title in particular has caught my eye: a brand new production of Richard Strauss’s Salome. Bible scholars may recognize the name “Salome” from more than one context: One narrative depicts a follower of Jesus who was present at his crucifixion. Another narrative tells of a young princess’s role in the murder of John the Baptist. Characteristic qualities certainly place these two women apart, but the leading lady of Strauss’s opera takes her queues from the second of the set. Strauss even used the beautiful name, “Salome,” a feminine rendition of…