Another Salome

[uffeviking]

"Warning: Contains scenes of Nudity and Violence".

Of course it does, isn't this at least one of the reasons why we watch this Richard Strauss opera? Will she go all the way, part way, have a stand-in? Questions answered in a different way by David McVicar the director of the powerful 2008 production at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. The nudity is relegated to Duncan Meadows in the role of Naaman, the executioner, who, with a blood-spattered body, presents the severed head to Salome, displaying his knackigen Arsch, but keeping the frontal exposure to a mere flick of a second.

The pièce de résistance, Dance of the Seven Veils is performed by Herod, dressed in a tuxedo, and Salome. He is unzipping Salome's gown, revealing her slender body in plain white shift; she is doing some elegant solo dancing until a maid wheels in a lovely ballgown with a multitude of gauze skirts. Herod dresses Salome in the gown and then they both execute a beautiful slow waltz to the familiar music. This slow waltz is probably the most elegant and erotic one I have ever seen on stage. Toward the ends he leads her stage left and both disappear into total blackness, leaving the impression it is a room they entered. The dance strain completed, Herod exits from the room, rubbing his hands together and leaving us guessing what went on in the room.

I have seen my share of Salomes and rank this among my favorites. I have a hunch, if Richard Strauss would have attended this performances he would have given his enthusiastic applause and then hurried home to Frau Strauss for some lively galumphing, maybe even getting the idea for his Sinfonia Domestica. But that is another subject, sorry I digressed.

As all Salomes, this one is carried blood-chillingly by Nadi Michael, with unusual stamina because
Philippe Jordan, the conductor, is not always kind to the soprano It could be the fault of the recording too that now and then the voices are almost drowned out. Great voices by everybody including Michael Volle, Jokanaan. The acting you have to see, I am at a loss for new words, 'powerful' I already used.

[uffeviking]

Something not working right with the addition of pictures. Let's try it this cumbersome way, one at a time:

[uffeviking]

another:

[uffeviking]

again:

[uffeviking]

last one:

[uffeviking]

Great shot of the Slow Waltz!

[knight66]

Lis, You make the production sound interesting. Perhaps it works better on video than in the theatre. The crits were very mixed and the musical side was aledged not to be memorable.

Mike

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I'd rather 'see' the thing with my mind's eye and not with any director's. But I like theatre more in the abstract (reading, listening) than in the flesh anyhow.

[uffeviking]

Lis, You make the production sound interesting. Perhaps it works better on video than in the theatre. The crits were very mixed and the musical side was aledged not to be memorable.

Mike

Mike, there are few critics I pay attention to, after all, they are just humans like I am. They watch an opera, form an opinion and write about it. That's what I did. Of course they know more about the professional side of music than I do, acknowledged. The music of this Salome sounded wonderful to me, a great Richard Strauss, if not THE greatest.

I will watch this Opus Arte DVD more than once!

[uffeviking]

http://www.opusarte.com/pages/Product.asp?ProductID=253

[springrite]

When it comes to opinions on the merits of opera productions and performances, my motto is "In Liz We Trust!"

Will seek it out if I see it.

[uffeviking]

Paul, I am honoured by the trust of Papa Bear; thank you so much! 

Of course no promise of reimbursement for the DVD if, in your opinion, it turns out a bummer! 

Lis

[springrite]

Paul, I am honoured by the trust of Papa Bear; thank you so much! 

Of course no promise of reimbursement for the DVD if, in your opinion, it turns out a bummer! 

Lis

Well, a new Salome never disappoints, even if not exactly to one's taste. I have seen it in Beijing, so I hope to find it again next time I am out.

[scarpia]

In my opinion this looks like Eurotrash. Sorry.

JS

"Sorry" implies we're supposed to care about your opinion.  Sorry.

[Brünnhilde forever]

This month's Opus Arte newsletter starts with this paragraph;

The silent role of Naaman (the Executioner) in David McVicar's controversial new production of Salome from the Royal Opera House, was played by a Covent Garden busker

This native German, USA naturalised female is asking any Englishman/woman: "What's a busker?" 

[bhodges]

A street performer, see here.  (Lots in NYC, but probably not many in your neck of the woods!)

--Bruce

[Brünnhilde forever]

Culturally deprived! I knew it when we moved from the State's west to the Eastside! Wasteland indeed. 

But in less than a week the five millions plus dollars hockey stadium will be opened! Whooopeee. 

[Josquin des Prez]

Sounds like Eurotrash to me. Sorry.

[knight66]

Sounds like Eurotrash to me. Sorry.

I don't think you are truly sorry.

Mike

[Hector]

I don't think you are truly sorry.

Mike

He's a typical Nazi. Condemn without seeing.

Having said that it received mixed reviews both musically and for the McVicar production earlier this year but, I believe, put bums on seats.

Sex always sells.

The naked executioner never faces the audience.

I expect it'll turn up on TV over Christmas