Salome is Oscar Wilde’s twist on the biblical story of Herod, Herodias, and Salome. The story tells of a lovely young girl Salome, her step-father Herod’s obsession with her, and Salome’s infatuation with the prophet John the Baptist (Jokanaan). This hypersexualized story and grim-fated heroine have outraged and intrigued audiences for the last century. Salome’s infamous “dance of the seven veils,” a seductive dance for her step-father, is one of the opera’s most famous musical moments, even though it has angered probably just about as many people as it has pleased.
Salome guide sections
