The Israeli Opera Returns to the Stage with "Salome" by Richard Strauss

The staggering masterpiece, based on Oscar Wilde's scandalous play, in a spectacular, bold, and mesmerizing stage production conducted by Maestro Dan Ettinger and directed by Itay Tiran. May 8-18, 2026, at the Shlomo Lahat (Cheech) Opera House.

The Israeli Opera returns to full activity and its 40th anniversary season performances with "Salome", one of the boldest, most powerful, and exciting works in 20th-century opera history. The acclaimed production, directed by Itay Tiran, now returns to the stage after seven years, bringing back the sensual, dark, and mesmerizing world of one of the greatest operas in the repertoire.

The work, based on Oscar Wilde's play "Salome", takes place in Herod's court and centers on Salome – the daughter of Herodias, Herod's wife, and the King's stepdaughter. Salome is a young, enigmatic, and uncompromising princess who does not yield to the laws of the male world and is willing to pay any price for her desire. Jochanaan (John the Baptist), who was thrown into a pit by Herod after denouncing Herodias' behavior, awakens an intense passion in Salome; however, even when she tries to seduce him, he rejects her. Later, in a moment revealing his own dark fascination with her, Herod demands that Salome dance for him, promising to fulfill any wish she asks in return.

"The Dance of the Seven Veils": One of the work's highlights, leading to Salome's demand to receive the severed head of Jochanaan on a silver platter. Upon receiving the head, Salome sings a soprano aria to the severed head in one of the most chilling and unforgettable scenes in the operatic repertoire. Herod, seized with horror at the sight, orders his soldiers to kill her. In this production, the "Dance of the Seven Veils" receives a unique interpretation through choreography by Renana Raz. According to Itay Tiran, the dance in this production is not just a moment of seduction, but a ritualistic act through which Salome discovers her power in a search for meaning.

This Israeli Opera production: Directed by Itay Tiran and conducted by Dan Ettinger, it offers a fascinating stage interpretation of the work. Tiran and Renana Raz created a world of beauty and horror for Strauss's music, where sensuality turns into violence, and where Salome challenges not only the existing order but also her father, the King. In Tiran's interpretation, Salome's character is deeply human. "Salome is a sun in a sunless world," says Tiran. "She is a girl looking for meaning who finds her destiny in destruction, intended to create reconstruction and repair. The world she exists in is a dark world where all human resources and value systems have been destroyed, while she, the sun, is the source of the moon's light reflected from her, and its resulting presence takes a central place on the stage."

Alongside Dan Ettinger, Itay Tiran, and Renana Raz, the production's creative team includes set designer Eran Atzmon, costume designer Orna Smorgonsky, video designer Yoav Cohen, and lighting designer Avi Yona Bueno (Bambi). Within the post-modern, almost dystopian world of the production, Yoav Cohen's video work breathes life into the figure of the moon, turning it into an active and threatening presence on stage. Together, they design a powerful visual language where sensuality, threat, and mystery are interwoven.

One of the most important works: Since its premiere in Dresden in 1905, "Salome" has been considered one of the most important works in 20th-century opera history. The play "Salome" by Oscar Wilde, first performed in Paris in 1896, ignited Richard Strauss's imagination. This was the third opera the composer wrote, marking a major turning point in his artistic path and serving as his international breakthrough. With its large-scale orchestration, innovative musical language, and non-stop drama, "Salome" caused a stir from the beginning, encountered censorship difficulties, but quickly became a milestone in opera history—a work that continues to shake, intrigue, and mesmerize even more than a century after its premiere.

The production features leading soloists from Israel and abroad, including soprano Marie Webb in the role of Salome, bass-baritone Ionut Pascu as Jochanaan, tenors Charles Workman and Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke as Herod, mezzo-sopranos Natasha Petrinsky and Edna Prochnik as Herodias, and Aaron Blake and Eitan Drori as Narraboth. Alongside the soloists, the Opera Orchestra – The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion – participates.

The Israeli Opera thanks the international artists who have come to Israel even during this complex time, and cherishes their commitment and their deep and uncompromising belief in the importance and power of art and creation.

Towards the "Salome" Gala:
A special opportunity to meet the people behind the production: the director, some of the creators, and the soloists, and to listen to musical samples from the opera. Activities include:

Introductory Lectures:
One hour before each performance, an introductory lecture takes place in the hall. Entry is free for ticket holders for that evening.

Backstage Tours:
Thursday, 14.5.26 at 18:45
Sunday, 17.5.26 at 16:45

Opera TalkBack:
An open meeting held at the end of selected performances on the second level of the Opera House foyer:
Monday 11.5, Thursday 14.5, Sunday 17.5

Language: German

Subtitles: Hebrew and English

Duration: Approximately one hour and 45 minutes (no intermission).

Performance Dates:

Friday | 8.5.26 at 13:00

Saturday | 9.5.26 at 20:30

Monday | 11.5.26 at 20:00

Tuesday | 12.5.26 at 20:00

Thursday | 14.5.26 at 20:00

Friday | 15.5.26 at 13:00

Sunday | 17.5.26 at 18:00

Monday | 18.5.26 at 20:00 * Gala