The title role in Salome is demanding in every respect — and since the work’s premiere, she has been sung by legendary sopranos, including many incandescent performances at Lyric.
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Salome
January 25. 2026 - February 14. 2026
Upcoming Dates
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January 25. 2026 - February 14. 2026
Every obsession has consequences. Sometimes they’re deadly. Salome
Based on Oscar Wilde’s one-act play, Salome has been thrilling and fascinating audiences for more than a century. Lyric Opera of Chicago brings Sir David McVicar’s decadent production — which is set in pre-war fascist Italy and sheds a harsh light on the timeless greed and entitlement of the elite — to Chicago.
This gory thrill ride returns to Lyric for the first time in 20 years starring Jennifer Holloway in the demanding title role of a teenage femme fatale whose infatuation has fatal implications, alongside Alex Boyer and Tanja Ariane Baumgartner.
Salome drips with decadence that matches Strauss’s lyrical score and German libretto. From the infamous "Dance of the Seven Veils" to Salome’s shocking last kiss, this production will leave you breathless.
Content advisory: Salome contains adult themes, brief nudity, and disturbing imagery.
- Language: Sung in German with projected English titles
- Running Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes, with no intermission
- Location: Lyric Opera House
- Composer: Richard Strauss
Sponsors
Lyric’s presentation of Strauss’s Salome is generously made possible by Richard O. Ryan.
Videos
Photos
Jennifer Holloway as Salome
Photo: Andrew Cioffi/Lyric Opera of Chicago
Tanja Ariane Baumbgartner as Herodias, Alex Boyer as Herod, and Jennifer Holloway as Salome
Photo: Kyle Flubacker
The company of Salome
Photo: Kyle Flubacker
Jennifer Holloway as Salome
Photo: Kyle Flubacker
Nicholas Brownlee as Jochanaan and Jennifer Holloway as Salome
Photo: Andrew Cioffi/Lyric Opera of Chicago
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner as Herodias and Jennifer Holloway as Salome
Photo: Andrew Cioffi/Lyric Opera of Chicago
Articles
By Martha C. Nussbaum
Power and seductive charm, utterly without accountability: alarming to contemplate, horrifying to encounter. In “Salome,” composer Richard Strauss uses his searing and superbly crafted music to impart new depth to Oscar Wilde’s play. Read more from scholar Martha C. Nussbaum.
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One of the most daring and provocative works in the opera repertoire, "Salome" blends eroticism with chilling ferocity in a breathtaking tale of a woman consumed by obsession. Learn more and see it onstage at Lyric Jan 25-Feb 14.
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American soprano Jennifer Holloway makes her Lyric debut in the title role of Strauss's "Salome." In this interview, she shares her thoughts on the opera, her love of the character, and more. See her onstage January 25-February 14.
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The upcoming season at Lyric offers a wealth of incredible performances, featuring both exciting new works and timeless classics. With a variety of exceptional productions to choose from, why not create your own perfect trio of performances?
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Pre-opera talk
Speaker: Roderick K. Hawkins
Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.
Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.
Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.
A recorded version of the Pre-opera talk is available below.
© 2025/26 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Salome COMMENTARY by Roderick K. Hawkins
Post show February 11, 2026
Artist Talkback
Artist Talkback
Join us immediately after the performance on Wednesday, February 11, as moderator Roderick K. Hawkins dives deep into the many levels of Salome in a discussion with opera singers Jennifer Holloway, Tanja Baumgartner, Alex Boyer, and Nicholas Brownlee. Hear directly from the artists how they approached McVicar's visceral production.
Artists
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Jennifer Holloway *
Salome
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Alex Boyer *
Herod
-
Nicholas Brownlee *
Jochanaan
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Tanja Ariane Baumgartner
Herodias
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Ryan Capozzo **
Narraboth
-
Catherine Martin
Page
-
Bille Bruley *
1st Jew
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Travon D. Walker ***
2nd Jew
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Daniel Luis Espinal ***
3rd Jew
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Zhengyi Bai *
4th Jew
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Benjamin R. Sokol ***
5th Jew
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Aleksey Bogdanov *
1st Nazarene
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Sihao Hu ***
2nd Nazarene
-
Scott Conner *
1st Soldier
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Christopher Humbert, Jr. ***
2nd Soldier
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Sankara Harouna ***
A Cappadocian
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Angela De Venuto
A Slave
-
Tomáš Netopil *
Conductor
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Sir David McVicar
Original Director
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Julia Burbach *
Revival Director
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Es Devlin *
Designer
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Wolfgang Göbbel
Original Lighting and Projection Designer
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Chris Maravich
Revival Lighting Designer
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Andrew George
Original Choreographer
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Emily Piercy *
Revival Choreographer
59 Productions *
Video Designer
* Lyric debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumnus
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble
Program book
Go inside this production of Salome with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.
Credits
Production by the Royal Ballet and Opera, first seen at the Royal Opera House, London on February 21, 2008.
Photo credit: John Shaw/Lyric Opera of Chicago