This filmed version of Strauss' shocker features Teresa Stratas as opera's most depraved teenager, and she's as perfect a Salome as one would ever hope to see or hear. Stratas inhabits the role, exploring the character's sensuousness as she vainly woos Jochanaan, her venomous hatred when she's rejected, the crazed look in her eyes when she demands his head--on a silver platter, no less. Such complete identification with a role, especially of a character so malignant helps make this 1974 Salome stand out among the many fine DVDs of the opera.

Rating: 3

Cast:

Astrid

Varnay

Bernd

Weikl

Wieslaw

Ochman

Karl

Böhm

Wiener

Philharmoniker

Teresa

Stratas

Hans

Beirer

Astrid

Varnay

Bernd

Weikl

Wieslaw

Ochman

Karl

Böhm

Wiener

Philharmoniker

Teresa

Stratas

Hans

Beirer

Astrid

Varnay

Bernd

Weikl

Wieslaw

Ochman