Richard Strauss’s masterpiece Salome is a shocking opera based on Oscar Wilde’s play of the same name.

Strauss’s provocative, intriguing Salome, based on Oscar Wilde’s play of the same name, tells the biblical story of Princess Salome, who becomes infatuated with John the Baptist, a prisoner in her stepfather King Herod’s court. When she is promised anything she wants by King Herod, Salome demands the head of John the Baptist, which Herod delivers to her—at a price.

Strauss’s ground-breaking score reflects the dark and unsettling themes of the story and every role makes extraordinary vocal and dramatic demands on the artists.

These performances will feature Marcy Stonikas as Salome (March 21 & 23), Kirsten Chambers as Salome (March 22), Dennis Petersen as Herod, Kyle Albertson as Jochanaan,  Nina Warren as Herodias, and Ben Werley as Narraboth. San Diego Opera’s Principal Conductor Yves Abel returns to lead the San Diego Symphony with Jose Maria Condemi returning to direct after his critically acclaimed Madama Butterfly last season.

LANGUAGE – Sung in German with English and Spanish text projected above the stage

Pre-Opera Talk: The pre-opera talk begins at 6:40 pm before the 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday evening performances. The Sunday matinee pre-opera talk begins at 1:10 pm before the 2:00 pm curtain.

Mainstage Post-Opera Talk-Back: Stay after the Saturday and Sunday performances for a Talk-Back. Once the curtain falls, there will be a 10-minute break, then join us in the front of the Dress Circle section where you can ask questions of the stars and cast (subject to availability), and find out what really happened onstage and backstage during the performance!