South Florida Classical Review

“The Apparition” by Gustave Moreau, 1875

The modernist score may not seem quite so daring today, and the depraved stage action won’t shock any 21^st century moviegoer.

Yet Richard Strauss’s Salome, which opens Saturday in a production by Florida Grand Opera, retains a secure place in the repertoire for its richly colored, highly original music and its dramatic exploration of religious piety, sexual depravity, courage and cowardice. Plus that part where she kisses a severed head.

Last staged by FGO 15 years ago, this German-language work represents a departure from the Italian operas that dominate the schedules of South Florida’s opera companies. Starring in the title role opening night is the soprano Melody Moore, who will alternate in the role with Kirsten Chambers. Mark Delavan sings the role of Jochanaan and John Easterlin is Herod.

Strauss’s opera gives an unusually prominent role to the orchestra, which has emerged as a reliable strength of FGO productions.

Florida Grand Opera’s production of Salome opens 6 p.m. Saturday and runs through February 3 at the Arsht Center in Miami and February 8 and 10 at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale fgo.org

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