The Met’s *Salome* is everywhere right now—and for good reason. Richard Strauss’s explosive one-act opera, based on Oscar Wilde’s scandalous play, is the kind of production that reminds us why opera still feels dangerous, thrilling, and utterly mesmerizing.
From the haunting opening notes to the infamous "Dance of the Seven Veils," *Salome* is a sensory overload in the best way. The Met’s current production doesn’t shy away from the opera’s dark, twisted core—lust, power, and obsession collide in a spectacle that’s as visually stunning as it is musically intense.
What makes *Salome* so gripping? It’s not just the shock value (though, yes, that final scene still leaves audiences gasping). It’s the sheer vocal and dramatic demands placed on the lead soprano. The role of Salome is one of the most punishing in the repertoire—requiring a voice that can slice through Strauss’s dense orchestration while embodying a character who spirals from seduction to madness.
The fact that this production is being broadcast live in theaters (like Whitefish and beyond) is a gift. Not everyone can make it to Lincoln Center, but the Met’s HD broadcasts bring the grandeur—and the grit—of opera to local audiences. If you’ve ever thought opera was stuffy or outdated, *Salome* will prove you wrong in under two hours.
So, if you see *Salome* playing at a cinema near you, grab a ticket. It’s opera at its most visceral, its most unsettling, and its most unforgettable. And honestly? We could all use a little more drama in our lives.
**—DanceWAMI**
