SYNOPSIS

CD 1 The palace of the Tetrarch of Galilee, Herod Antipas. 1 On the terrace Narraboth, the young Captain of the palace guard, is staring into the banqueting hall, entranced by Salome, stepdaughter of Herod and daughter of Herodias. Herodias’ page, who is with Narraboth, tries to prevent him from gazing at the young Princess. From a cistern beneath the terrace comes the voice of Jokanaan (John the Baptist) who has been imprisoned for defaming the Tetrarch and his wife. As two guards explain to a Cappadocian, Herod has ordered that no-one speak to the prisoner. 2 Salome comes onto the terrace to escape her stepfather’s lascivious glances. Jokanaan’s voice rings out again, and Salome decides she wants to see him. The guards tell her about Herod’s order, 3 but Salome, sensing Narraboth’s infatuation with her, coaxes him into letting the prisoner out.

4 The prophet climbs up and immediately begins to revile the Tetrarch and his wife. When Salome tells him she is Herodias’ daughter, he repulses this “daughter of Babylon”, 5–6 but she is fascinated by this strange fanatic, wanting to touch his white body and black hair. Jokanaan refuses in disgust. 7 He commands this “daughter of adultery” to seek out the Son of Man and beg forgiveness for her sins, but the Princess is possessed by desire for his red mouth. Narraboth has been watching with increasing horror, and in despairing jealousy throws himself on his sword. Jokanaan curses Salome and returns to his cistern.

8 Herod, Herodias and their retinue come out of the palace. The Tetrarch is looking for Salome and wants to continue the banquet on the terrace. He is tortured by hallucinations and his nervous state intensifies when he slips in Narraboth’s blood. 9 After the corpse of the young captain has been removed, Herod offers Salome wine and fruit; she refuses. The voice of Jokanaan again comes from below. Herodias believes him to be slandering her and demands he be silenced. 10 The Jews would also like to lay their hands on the prophet, but Herod will not surrender him, describing him as a holy man who has seen God. This prompts heated theological argument among the Jews as to whether any man, even the prophet Elijah, has ever seen God. 11 Jokanaan’s voice now heralds “the Saviour of the world”, and two Nazarenes explain to Herod that this means the Messiah who has been working miracles all over the country, even raising the dead. Not only does this add to Herod’s terror, but his wife thinks she is “the wanton! the daughter of Babylon” whose bad end Jokanaan now prophesies.

CD 2 1 The Tetrarch’s frenzy is increased when there is a proclamation of the day when “the kings of the earth shall be afraid”. He asks Salome to dance for him. At first she refuses, 2–3 but agrees to Herod’s request once he has sworn to grant her whatever she desires in return. Her mother is angry, 4 but Salome performs the Dance of the Seven Veils. 5 Herod is enraptured and asks Salome to name her price. To his dismay and the delight of his wife, Salome requests that she be brought, on a silver charger, the head of Jokanaan. She asks it, as she says, for her own pleasure, not for her mother’s sake. 6–7 Fearing the consequences of the holy man’s death, Herod offers her other rewards: a priceless emerald, white peacocks, innumerable jewels, even the High Priest’s mantle and the veil of the Sanctuary. Salome will not be moved and Herod finally gives in. 8 His wife takes a ring from his finger, and it is given as an order to the executioner. He descends to the cistern. A long moment of tense expectation is followed by the presentation to the Princess of the head of Jokanaan. 9 She greets it with cruel glee. Though she then realises that her desire for his body will remain for ever unappeased, kissing his lips brings Salome to a state of ecstasy. 10-11 The horrified Herod commands her death, and his soldiers crush her beneath their shields.