The Metropolitan Opera's new production of Richard Strauss's Salome features Elza van den Heever in a riveting duality of performance, combining a sinister onstage presence with a beautiful singing voice. Director Claus Guth's staging, originally intended for both the Met and Bolshoi Theatre, confronts dark themes amid intricate set designs and costuming. The production balances tension and humor, and the unsettling atmosphere culminates in a chilling climax, showcasing the stark contrast between Salome's violent actions and her melodic expressions, ultimately leaving audiences in awe of van den Heever's exceptional abilities.
At the end of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Richard Strauss's Salome, the soprano Elza van den Heever stayed onstage to accept the uproarious ovations with a weepy smile and a grateful tap on her heart.
What powers van den Heever's performance is the gulf between the nastiness onstage and the glimmering warmth of her voice.
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