大象传媒

At King Herod鈥檚 palace, the young captain Narraboth admires the beautiful princess Salome, who sits at the banquet table with her stepfather, Herod, and his court (鈥淲ie sch枚n ist die Prinzessin Salome heute nacht!鈥�). A page warns Narraboth that something terrible might happen if he continues to stare at the princess, but Narraboth won鈥檛 listen. The voice of Jochanaan is heard from the cistern, where he is kept prisoner, proclaiming the coming of the Messiah (鈥淣ach mir wird einer kommen鈥�), and two soldiers comment on the prophet鈥檚 kindness and Herod鈥檚 fear of him. Suddenly Salome appears, disgusted with Herod鈥檚 advances toward her and bored by his guests. Jochanaan鈥檚 voice is heard again, cursing the sinful life of Salome鈥檚 mother, Herodias. Salome asks about the prophet. The soldiers refuse to allow her to speak with him, but Narraboth, unable to resist her, orders that Jochanaan be brought forth from the cistern. At first terrified by the sight of the holy man, Salome quickly becomes fascinated by his physical appearance, begging him to let her touch his hair, skin, and lips. Jochanaan forcefully rejects her. Narraboth, who can鈥檛 bear Salome鈥檚 desire for another man, stabs himself in horror and despair. Salome, not noticing him and beside herself with excitement, continues to beg for Jochanaan鈥檚 kiss. The prophet tells her to save herself by seeking Christ and finally retreats into the cistern, cursing Salome.

Herod appears from the palace, looking for the princess and commenting on the strange look of the moon. When he slips in Narraboth鈥檚 blood, he suddenly panics and has hallucinations. Herodias angrily dismisses his fantasies and asks him to go back inside with her, but Herod鈥檚 attentions are now focused on Salome. He offers her food and wine, but she rejects his advances. From the cistern, Jochanaan resumes his tirades against Herodias, who demands that Herod turn the prophet over to the Jews. Herod refuses, maintaining that Jochanaan is a holy man and has seen God. His words spark an argument among the Jews concerning the true nature of God, and two Nazarenes talk about the miracles of Jesus. As Jochanaan continues to accuse her, Herodias furiously demands that he be silenced.

Herod asks Salome to dance for him (鈥淭anz f眉r mich, Salome!鈥�). She refuses, but when he promises to give her anything she wants, she agrees once she has made him swear to keep his word. Ignoring her mother鈥檚 pleas not to, Salome dances, seductively, removing her clothes (Dance of the Seven Veils). The delighted king wants to know what reward she would like, and she innocently asks for the head of Jochanaan on a silver platter. Horrified, the king refuses, while Herodias laughs approvingly at Salome鈥檚 choice. Herod offers other rewards from his possessions, even the sacred veil of the Temple of the Jews, but Salome insists and reminds Herod of his oath. The king finally gives in. As the executioner descends into the cistern, the princess anxiously and impatiently awaits her prize (鈥淓s ist kein Laut zu vernehmen鈥�). When the prophet鈥檚 head is brought to her, she passionately addresses Jochanaan as if he were still alive and finally kisses his lips (鈥淎h! Ich habe deinen Mund gek眉sst鈥�). The terrified Herod, outraged and disgusted at Salome鈥檚 behavior, orders the soldiers to kill her.