Strauss’ German rendition of the (originally) French play Salomé by the Irish playwright Oscar Wilde premiered in Dresden in 1905. It drew immediate attention because of its scandalous Dance of the seven veils. Daughter Salomé dances for her father Herod and seduces him. Maybe modern audiences might view this as a sign of female power over man, but in the early 20th century this wild lustful woman was a threat.
A threat it might be, at least for the person who in the opera and the play is called Jochanaan. His head will roll, when Salome is asking for it. You see, he scorned her three times when she asked to touch and kiss him. In the bible this is the story of the death of John the Baptist, by his beheading. Salome is kissing his severed head when it is given to her.
A delightful recording, very much showing off Strauss’ Wagnerian traits. No wonder with Wagner champions Georg Solti and Birgit Nilsson.