The musical drama, which challenged the limits of opera at the beginning of the 20th century, returns to Les Arts as part of its 20th anniversary. The production, from La Scala in Milan, offers a contemporary reading that reduces physical space to enhance the psychological, creating a sense of claustrophobia that permeates both the stage and the narrative itself.
The musical direction is led by the former conductor of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, who highlighted that Salome's score represented the creation of a completely new musical language. This language, which may sound familiar, is enveloped in very strange harmonies, showing a total reinvention by the composer.
“"The score of Salome represented the creation of a completely new musical language. It can sound very familiar, almost like Broadway or pop, but it is enveloped in very strange harmonies. Strauss totally reinvented himself."
The stage proposal, developed by the director's usual team, is described as very claustrophobic. The person responsible for the revival of the work explains that this configuration responds to the meaning of the piece, which seeks to represent the inner world and the depths of trauma that confine its protagonists.
Based on Oscar Wilde's revolutionary work, the production expands the biblical story of an unnamed woman, giving her a voice of her own. The opera explores themes such as abuse, desire, revenge, and structural violence, but the production chooses to suggest violence rather than explicitly display it.
“"As if it were a detective plot, Salome unlocks her memory and remembers what has happened to her. She then discovers that what is happening to her can be named: it is abuse."
The musical challenge is to sustain the tension of a dense and demanding score. The musical director highlighted the prior knowledge of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, but also emphasized the importance of maintaining enthusiasm so that musicians think for themselves and convey emotion to the audience.
The production marks the debut in Spain of soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė in the leading role, one of the most demanding in the operatic repertoire. Her performance, which already generated anticipation in Milan in 2023, presents Salome as a victim of her circumstances, moving her away from the image of an anti-heroine and icon of perversity.
The proposal seeks a balance between the staging and the supernatural and spiritual aspects, leaving a complex emotional response in the viewer. Salome will be performed in the Main Hall of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía on April 25 and 29, and May 3, 6, and 9.
