Salome

Excerpt from Salome: A Drama in One Act "Yet each man kills the thing he loves, By each let this be heard, Some do it with a hitter look, Some with a flattering word, The coward does it with a kiss, The brave man with a sword." - Ballad of Reading Gael. Richard Strauss's one-act music drama, "Salome," is a musical setting of Oscar Wilde's dramatic poem of the same name. It was first produced December 9, 1905, in Dresden, where Strauss's latest music drama, "Elektra," of which Mr. Hammerstein owns the exclusive American rights, and which he will present next season, had its production Monday, January 26th last Wilde wrote his play In French for Sara Bernhardt. Strauss used a German version by Hedwig Lachmann. Wilde a original text is used at the Manhattan Opera House. To fit it the composer carefully modified the original vocal score. There is but one scene - a grand terrace in the palace of Herod, the Tetrarch or Roman Viceroy of Judaea, and son of Herod the Great, who caused the Slaughter of the Innocents. This is the palace which the Tetrarch is said to have built for himself outside Jerusalem. The architecture is a combination of the Assyrian and the Egyptian. On the left Is an ornate entrance to a festal-hall. On the right is a massive gateway leading to the outside world. Beyond the battlements in the rear we have a view of the sacred city. In the center of the terrace Is seen the mouth of an old cistern - the dungeon in which Jokanaan the Prophet is confined. Some soldiers are leaning on the balcony. Narrahoth, a young Syrian Captain of the Guard, is discussing with the Page of Herodias the loveliness of Salome, the daughter of Herodias and step-daughter of the Tetrarch. The Page warns the infatuated soldier against his passion; he must not look at Salome or something evil will happen. Presently Salome appears in the doorway. She seeks the fresh air and moonlight. The banqueting-hall stifles her. It is the chaste moon she would gaze upon. The fragrant breezes of the Orient she would inhale. Narra-both is intoxicated by the vision of the maiden. Again the Page warns him of his folly. Suddenly is heard a voice, as from a tomb - the deep voice of Jokanaan the Prophet in his dungeon: "Behold! the Lord hath come! The Son of Man is at hand." Salome is startled. She asks who it is that speaks. One after another of those present - Narraboth and the soldier - describe the mysterious prisoner. "Ah!" she exclaims, "it is he who has said such terrible things about my mother!" Her slave enters with a request from Herod that she return to the hall. She refuses; she is Interested in the strange prophet and would know more about him. "Is he an old man?" "No; quite young." Again the voice from the dungeon. "How strange!" she must speak with him. Narraboth and his companion declare it impossible; the Tetrarch has positively forbidden that anyone speak with him. She insists. She demands. She plays upon Narraboth's hidden passion for her; promises him a flower, a little green flower; even a smile. He yields at last and orders the prophet brought forth. As Jokanaan rises from the dungeon uttering strange words of imprecation upon "him whose cup of abominations is now full;" upon "her who gave herself unto the captains of Assyria," Salome is awe-struck at the sight and horrified at his speech. It is of the Tetrarch - of her own mother, Herodias - he speaks. Her awe gives way to fascination. She would see Jokanaan closer, though his eyes are terrible. "Who Is this woman gazing at me?" the prophet asks. "Salome, the daughter of Herodtas, the Princess o