Salome (1977 Karajan, Behrens / @1905 Strauss), Salzburg production, sound recording (opera)

Salome (1977) is a sound recording of Salome (1905 Strauss / Lachmann), opera, conducted by Herbert von Karajan.

Abstract

Recording of a performance at the Chorégies d'Orange (13 July 1974).

"Born to conduct Strauss, Karajan maximises Salome's lyric qualities while never suppressing its Expressionist power. No conductor more skilfully negotiates the opera's liquid changes of mood. The casting is pristine. The young Hildegard Behrens brings to bear a full, fresh, glowingly beautiful voice - her vocal problems lie in the future - and memorably details each stage of Salome's progression into madness. José van Dam invests the role of Jochanaan with ardour and poetry. And Karl Walter Böhm, a distinctive tenor who prospered briefly under Karajan's tutelage in the mid-'70s and then disappeared from view, fashions a fabulously decadent Herod, communicating both the melting charm of a golden-mouthed host (‘Salome, come drink wine with me’) and the savage rage of an impotent despot (‘She is a monster, your daughter’)."--Gramophone.

Cast

• Hildegard Behrens = Salome
• José van Dam = John the Baptist
• Karl-Walter Böhm = Herod Antipas
• Agnes Baltsa = Herodias

• Wiener Philharmoniker (Herbert von Karajan, conductor)

Editions

Released on Vinyl and CD.