Music Drama by RICHARD STRAUSS
Page
Jews
Nazarenes
Soldiers
Slave
THE B.B.C. ORCHESTRA
(Section B)
(Leader, ARTHUR CATTERALL )
Directed by ALBERT COATES
Assistants ARNOLD PERRY
L STANTON JEFFERIES
The scene is the Palace of Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee. Salome, Herod's beautiful stepdaughter, has fallen passionately in love with John the Baptist (Jokanaan). The prophet is imprisoned in a well-like dungeon in the courtyard, and Salome persuades Narraboth, captain of the Guard, who loves her, to bring the prophet before her. As she shamelessly urges the prophet to respond to her unholy passion, the despairing Narraboth kills himself.
Jokanaan, fiercely rejecting Salome's advances, is cast again into the dungeon. Herod comes out with his court from the banqueting hall. He bids Salome dance before him, and so ravished is he with her seductive beauty that he promises her anything she asks. She asks the head of Jokanaan, and despite Herod's terrified reluctance, holds him to his promise.
The execution is performed, and to the head of Jokanaan Salome pours out the triumphant and revolting confession of her love. Horrified, Herod orders her death, and she is crushed beneath the shields of his soldiers.
(' Salome' was broadcast in the Regional
Programme last night)