Salome, Op. 54, is an opera in one act by composer Richard Strauss. The libretto is Hedwig Lachmann's German translation of the 1891 French play Salomé by Oscar Wilde, edited by the composer.

The opera is famous (at the time of its premiere, infamous) for its "Dance of the Seven Veils.”

The production in Billings is accompanied by piano and sung in German with English text projected above the stage.

The opera’s length is 90 minutes.

The Story:
The opera begins in the Palace of Herod. Narraboth, captain of the guard, gazes at Princess Salome, with whom he loves. Jochanaan, an imprisoned prophet, is held within the cistern. Salome hears Jochanaan cursing her mother, Queen Herodias. Salome charms Narraboth into bringing the prophet to her. When he is brought forth, Jochanaan yells prophecies concerning the king and queen. Salome is overcome with longing for the prophet, and she makes three requests: to caress his skin, to feel his hair, and to kiss his lips; all three requests are rejected by the prophet. Consumed by jealousy to hear this, Narraboth commits suicide before Jochanaan is returned to the cistern below the palace. Click here for more information