Salome

In the mystical atmosphere of the crypt of St. Peter's Church, Richard Strauss's opera "Salome" unfolds with an intensity rarely experienced. Under the musical direction of Wolfgang Fritzsche, the masterpiece is brought to life anew in a captivating, intimate production – raw, sensual, and grippingly psychologically profound.

In the title role, the outstanding Katharina Jing An Gebauer shines, her captivating stage presence and vocal expressiveness making her Salome an unforgettable experience. As the infamous princess, she enthralls her audience with a mixture of beguiling seduction, vulnerability, and madness.

The crypt, with its unique acoustics, lends Strauss's sound drama an additional, gripping intimacy that even large opera houses can rarely achieve. A musical event of rare artistic intensity in a truly unique form. 

Established as Austria's smallest opera house, the performances in the KRYPTA captivate audiences with their immediacy, high quality, and unusual venue. Located deep beneath St. Peter's Church in Vienna, the intimate hall offers a personal experience that lingers long after the final note. 

The crypt is pleasantly cool at any time of year. 

Action: 

Scene 1 – On the terrace of the palace

Salome, the stepdaughter of King Herod, leaves the feast in the palace because she is disgusted by the lustful gaze of her stepfather Herod. Outside, she hears from a cistern the voice of the imprisoned prophet Jochanaan, who accuses Herodias, her mother, and Herod of their sins.

Salome listens, fascinated, to this mysterious voice and orders Captain Narraboth to have Jochanaan brought out of the dungeon, even though this is forbidden.

Scene 2 – Salome and Jochanaan

When Jochanaan emerges from the cistern, Salome is overwhelmed by his appearance. She admires his beauty and tries to seduce him. However, Jochanaan sharply rejects her and calls her to repent.

The more he rejects her, the stronger her desire grows. Finally, she begs him for a kiss, but he curses her and retreats into the cistern.

Narraboth, who is in love with Salome, cannot bear the situation and kills himself out of despair.

Scene 3 – Herod's Feast and the Dance

King Herod appears with his retinue. He fears Jochanaan and wants to release him, but Herodias wants him dead.

When Salome appears, Herod is captivated by her and asks her to dance for him. At first she refuses, but agrees if she receives whatever she desires as a reward. Herod agrees.

Salome dances the famous "Dance of the Seven Veils".

Scene 4 – The Cruel Wish

After the dance, Salome demands her reward: the head of Jochanaan on a silver platter.

Herod is horrified and tries to change her mind, offering her everything in his power. But Salome remains firm in her desire.

Finally, Herod reluctantly gives in. The executioner brings the severed head of Jochanaan.

Scene 5 – Salome's monologue and ending

Salome takes the head, speaks to it passionately, and finally kisses Jochanaan's dead lips.

Herod is horrified by this shocking scene and exclaims:

"Kill this woman!"

Salome is killed by the soldiers. 

Program and cast

Salome   :Katharina Jing An Gebauer , soprano 

Jochanaan: Florian Pejrimovsky ,  bass-baritone                             

Herod   :Steffen Schantz, tenor  

Herodias/Page:   Alexandra Aidonopoulou, soprano                       

Narraboth/1.Jude/3.Jude  : Paul Skalicki, tenor

2.Jude/4.Jude : Andres Alzate , tenor 

1st Soldier/5th Jew  :   Horst Lamnek, bass-baritone

2. Soldier/A Cappadocian/  :  nn 

1. Nazarenes                             

Musical direction/piano -   Wolfgang Fritzsche

Violoncello          - Ursula Hielscher                

Production/ Light       - Dorothée Stanglmayr