On a moonlit terrace in Herod’s palace in Judea, Narraboth, captain of the guard, rhapsodizes over the beauty of the princess Salome. A page warns him that he is staring too intently at the princess and that evil will come of it. The voice of the prophet Jochanaan (John the Baptist) is heard coming from a cistern, where the holy man has been kept prisoner by Herod. He prophesies the coming of the Messiah, and the soldiers argue about him, disputing his saintliness. They are interrupted by the appearance of princess Salome who, disgusted with her stepfather Herod’s Jochanaan’s lecherous glances at her, has left the banquet hall and came out onto the terrace. Jochanaan’s voice rings out through the night, and the fascinated Salome decides she must speak with him. She orders the soldiers to bring the prisoner to her. When they say that they cannot disobey Herod’s orders, she coaxes Narraboth into agreeing.
Jochanaan is presented to Salome. Instead of being disgusted, Salome is attracted to his voice, his deathly pallor and ascetic looks. He tells her to repent. She says she must touch the prophet’s ghastly white flesh, feel his shining black hair and kiss his scarlet lips. Jochanaan denounces her, but Salome’s desire for him becomes uncontrollable. Narraboth, frightened by the confrontation that he has enabled, stabs himself and dies, as Salome continues to beg Jochanaan to be allowed to kiss him. “Daughter of adultery” the prophet shrieks, “go seek repentance!” Salome repeats her demands. Jochanaan pronounces her cursed and returns to the cistern.
Herod enters, followed by his guests, looking for Salome, obsessed by her. Herodias, his wife, jealously accuses Herod of ogling at her daughter. Herod offers the princess food and wine, but she rejects him. Jochanaan’s admonitions again arise from the cistern, and Herodias asks Herod to get rid of him, to turn him over to the Hebrews. Herod refuses, stating that Jochanaan is a holy man. At this, a theological argument breaks out among the Hebrew guests about the presence of good and evil in the world. Two Nazarenes report the miracles of Jesus, claiming that the Messiah has arrived. Jochanaan again curses the wickedness of Herodias, who screams for him to be silenced.
Herod suddenly asks Salome to dance for him. Supported by her mother, Salome refuses. Not until Herod swears to give her whatever she may desire, does Salome, ignoring her mother’s pleas, agree. She dances the dance of the seven veils in front of Herod. Herod now asks her to state her request. She asks for the head of Jochanaan on a silver platter. Herod is horrified, but Herodias approves, thinking Salome has done this to avenge her. Herod offers Salome precious jewels, rare white peacocks - anything - to dissuade her, but Salome is adamant. Finally, Herod agrees.
Eagerly, Salome anticipates the sounds of the execution. Just as she is about to send more soldiers down, the arm of the Executioner rises up out of the darkness bearing the head of Jochanaan. Salome grabs her reward and passionately sings to Jochanaan as though he could still hear her. “The mystery of love,” she sings, “is greater than the mystery of death.” Salome ecstatically kisses the severed head. Herod orders her to be killed and his soldiers obey.
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