Album

Charles Mackerras turns in an exceptionally fine reading of Salome for Chandos' Opera in English series. His interpretation is shapely and psychologically astute, particularly fierce and dramatically charged, and the Philharmonic Orchestra plays with appropriately primal abandon; there is never a danger of things flying out of control, but the wild energy Mackerras generates creates an almost unbearable tension. It's also a highly disciplined performance; details of orchestration emerge with wonderful clarity and precision. In other words, it's close to ideal for the outrageousness of Strauss' opera. The vocal performances are all very fine, and some are outstanding. John Graham-Hill's Herod is especially vivid. His vocal delivery is wonderfully natural; his wheedling sounds desperately pathetic, and in his fear and rage he sounds genuinely deranged. His attempts to bargain with Salome over the reward for her dance are among the most powerful moments in the recording. Sally Burgess is well-matched as his bitter and venomous queen. Susan Bullock's voice doesn't always have the ideal youthful sheen for the role, but the emotions she expresses are effectively adolescent, and she sings with the necessary power to be terrifying, especially in her final scene. John Wegner makes a primitive-sounding and forceful Jokanaan. Andrew Rees' Narraboth is sweet-voiced, and he brings believable poignancy to the role. Overall, this is a Salome that stands up well to the most effective recorded versions, and the fact that it's in English makes it especially attractive for English speakers coming to the opera for the first time. Chandos' sound is clean, clear, and full, with excellent balance.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 2
Richard Strauss Composer Salome, Op.54, TrV215 (music drama)...Scene 1 Work 5:24 Wynford Evans Tenor, Colin Judson Tenor, Andrew Rees Tenor, Charles Kilpatrick Staging, Rebecca de Pont Davies Mezzo-Soprano, Alan Ewing Bass, Gerald Strainer Tenor, Susan Bullock Soprano, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Graeme Broadbent Bass, Alasdair Elliott Tenor, Michael Druiett Bass, Robert Parry Tenor, Philharmonia Orchestra of London Orchestra, John Graham-Hill Tenor, Sally Burgess Mezzo-Soprano, Jeremy White Bass, Roger Begley Bass, John Wegner Baritone, Antony Rich Tenor
1	1.How fair the royal Princess Salome looks tonight	2:43			$0.99
2	2.After me shall come another	2:41			$0.99
Richard Strauss Composer Salome, Op.54, TrV215 (music drama)...Scene 2 Work 9:21 Wynford Evans Tenor, Colin Judson Tenor, Andrew Rees Tenor, Charles Kilpatrick Staging, Rebecca de Pont Davies Mezzo-Soprano, Alan Ewing Bass, Gerald Strainer Tenor, Susan Bullock Soprano, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Graeme Broadbent Bass, Alasdair Elliott Tenor, Michael Druiett Bass, Robert Parry Tenor, Philharmonia Orchestra of London Orchestra, John Graham-Hill Tenor, Sally Burgess Mezzo-Soprano, Jeremy White Bass, Roger Begley Bass, John Wegner Baritone, Antony Rich Tenor
3	1.I will not stay there. I cannot stay there	2:09			$0.99
4	2.Who spoke then, who was that calling out?	3:51			$0.99
5	3.You will do this for me, Narraboth	3:21			$0.99
Richard Strauss Composer Salome, Op.54, TrV215 (music drama)...Scene 3 Work 26:51 Wynford Evans Tenor, Colin Judson Tenor, Andrew Rees Tenor, Charles Kilpatrick Staging, Rebecca de Pont Davies Mezzo-Soprano, Alan Ewing Bass, Gerald Strainer Tenor, Susan Bullock Soprano, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Graeme Broadbent Bass, Alasdair Elliott Tenor, Michael Druiett Bass, Robert Parry Tenor, Philharmonia Orchestra of London Orchestra, John Graham-Hill Tenor, Sally Burgess Mezzo-Soprano, Jeremy White Bass, Roger Begley Bass, John Wegner Baritone, Antony Rich Tenor
6	1.Where is he, he, whose sins are now without number?	5:07			$0.99
7	2.He is terrible	4:54			$0.99
8	3.Jokanaan! I am in love with your pale flesh, Jokanaan!	2:59			$0.99
9	4.I'm enamoured of your hair, Jokanaan	2:43			$0.99
10	5.It's your mouth that I desire, Jokanaan	11:08			$1.99
Richard Strauss Composer Salome, Op.54, TrV215 (music drama)...Scene 4 Work 1:02:45 Wynford Evans Tenor, Colin Judson Tenor, Andrew Rees Tenor, Charles Kilpatrick Staging, Rebecca de Pont Davies Mezzo-Soprano, Alan Ewing Bass, Gerald Strainer Tenor, Susan Bullock Soprano, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Graeme Broadbent Bass, Alasdair Elliott Tenor, Michael Druiett Bass, Robert Parry Tenor, Philharmonia Orchestra of London Orchestra, John Graham-Hill Tenor, Sally Burgess Mezzo-Soprano, Jeremy White Bass, Roger Begley Bass, John Wegner Baritone, Antony Rich Tenor
11	1.Where is Salome?	4:06			$0.99
12	2.Salome, come drink wine with me	2:47			$0.99
13	3.See, the time is upon us	3:38			$0.99
14	4.Brothers, the day is near us, the day of the Lord	2:51			$0.99
15	5.Men shall soon rebel against this dissolute woman	2:12			$0.99
16	6.Dance for me, Salome	4:25			$0.99

CD 2 of 2
1	7.Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils	9:30			$1.49
2	8.Ah, heavenly! Wonderful, wonderful!	7:27			$1.49
3	9.Salome, just think what you're doing	3:13			$0.99
4	10.Give me the head of Jokanaan!	2:12			$0.99
5	11.I hear no noise from below there	2:36			$0.99
6	12.Ah! You would not let me kiss your mouth, Jokanaan!	6:47			$0.99
7	13.Your body was an ivory column	5:32			$0.99
8	14.You have an evil monster for a daughter	5:29			$0.99
Richard Strauss Composer Salome's Dance (after the opera), TrV215a Work Charles Kilpatrick Staging, Philharmonia Orchestra of London Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor
9	Salome's Dance (after the opera), TrV215a	9:37			$1.49