Salome, French ed. (1990 Nagano, Huffstodt / @1905 Strauss), Lyon production, sound recording (opera)

Salome (1990) is a Lyon production and sound recording of Salome (1905 Strauss / Lachmann), opera, in the French version, conducted by Kent Nagano.

Abstract

Recorded in Lyon, France: Auditorium Maurice Ravel, 21-29 May 1990.

"Strauss spent most of the summer of 1905 making a French-language version of the opera, thoroughly revising the vocal lines to accommodate Wilde's original French text. Kent Nagano, while music director of the Opéra de Lyon, did Salome fanatics the favour of recording that alternative version for Virgin Classics. Indeed, ‘French’ qualities emerge in the music, especially when Herod and his Debussy-ish whole-tone scales sweep in. Of the cast, only Van Dam, as Jochanaan, and Jean Dupouy, a slinky, conniving Herod, make the most of the occasion. Karen Huffstodt lacks both power and allure as Salome, and the Opera de Lyon orchestra never catch fire under Nagano's direction."--Gramophone.

Cast

• Karen Huffstodt = Salome
• José van Dam = John the Baptist
• Jean Dupouy = Herod Antipas
• Hélène Jossoud = Herodias

• Orchestra de l'Opéra de Lyon

Editions

Released on CD.