Salome 2011

SN.: Salome by Richard Strauss will be premiered in one year’s time at the Salzburg Easter Festival. What can you say already about your ideas?

Herheim: As is usual when preparing a new production, we have just had a technical rehearsal in the Grosses Festspielhaus to see how we can best bring our vision to life in this space. That is the beginning of a process that for us in the production team is only concluded at the premiere when the analysis of presentation and reception can begin, as well as discussion between the stage and the audience. It is only through, in and with this communication that art is created.

The basic concept is clear: we want to tell the great story about an allegedly perverted woman who throws herself into the cascade of a blood bath, demands the head of the prophet in order ? as she believes ? to satisfy her desire. In so doing she tries to free herself of the obsessive compulsions of her perverted surroundings. Salomé’s monstrous deed is like a revolution in which male powerlessness becomes its own victim. It is a powerful tragedy, ultimately an act of despair to which Salome is driven ? by the advocate of the so-called “glad tidings”. The extravagant princess takes the view that life is here and now, happiness does not lie in the Utopian principle of salvation of the next world. Anyone who sets intellect and reason against the purpose of sensuality, commits a crime against love and thus against their own nature.