This first full-length study of Salome in English since Lawrence Gilman's (1907) moves from historical and literary analysis to critical appraisal and includes a synopsis, bibliography and discography.

A comprehensive guide to Richard Strauss's SALOME, featuring insightful and in depth Commentary and Analysis, a complete, newly translated Libretto with German/English side-by side, and over 25 music highlight examples.

A striking display of atmospheric color brought about by instrumental means, Salome was Strauss's first great operatic success, and now ranks among the basic works of 20th-century music-drama. Definitive Fürstner score, now extremely rare.

Salome is Oscar Wilde’s most experimental—and controversial—play. In its own time, the play, written in French, was described by a reviewer as “an arrangement in blood and ferocity, morbid, bizarre, repulsive.” None, however, could deny the importance of Wilde’s creation. Contemporary audiences and reviewers variously regarded Salome as the symbol of a thrilling modernity, a challenge to patriarchy, a confession of desire, a sign of moral decay, a new form of art, and a revolt against the restraints of Victorian society. Less well known than Wilde’s beloved comedies, Salome is as enduringly modern and relevant. This edition uses the English translation done by Wilde’s lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, and overseen and corrected by Wilde himself. Appendices detail the play’s sources and provide extensive materials on its contemporary reception and dramatic productions.

A comprehensive guide featuring Principal Characters in the opera, Brief Story Synopsis, Story Narrative with Music Highlight Examples, a complete newly translated Libretto with foreign language and english side-by-side, an in depth Commentary and Analysis, selected Discogaphy and Videography, and a Dictionary of Opera and Musical Terms.