Linda Watson succeeds with a great role debut as Queen Herodias in Richard Strauss' "Salome"

Under the baton of Dennis Russel Davies soprano Linda Watson interpreted for the very first time the role of Queen Herodias, mother of Salome in Richard Strauss` opera.

Before the music began Vienna's opera director Dominique Meyer anounced a jump in for a sick singer no less than one of the greatest Salome-interpreter of our times Camilla Nylund. The more the audiance was exited to hear a performance on high level.

Jörg Schneider (Herodes), Linda Watson, Alan Held (Jochanaan), Camilly Nylund (Salome)

Reviews:

"Linda Watson blared her top notes into the roaring Ton Lake and otherwise gave the Herodias with the sovereign, expansive theatricality of an Olivia Jones. Jubilation."

(Stefan Ender, 28.9.2019 in Der Standard)

"Linda Watson as powerful, magnificent, cynical Herodias proves that the high-drama sopranos are the best singers of this role."

(onlinemerker, Renate Wagner, 4.10.2019)

"Linda Watson with her embodiment of the Herodias finally ties to the high level of the 1960s. Watson's tonal precision, vocal volume, figure interpretation and physical presence are currently unique in the world, probably because of her immense experience. Add to that the unmistakable, characterful timbre and the remarkably firm seat of her voice. Her striking transitions from the piano to the forte remain unmatched until now and delighted the audience in this performance as well. With her joy in playing, taking advantage of every inspiring tone of the score, Linda Watson is in line with opera legend Astrid Varnay. In terms of Herodias the reference service 2019!"

(Anton Gutmann, opera-online.de)

Cast:

Dennis Russell Davies, conductor

Boleslaw Barlog, stage director

Jürgen Rose, set designer

Linda Watson, Herodias

Jörg Schneider, Herodes

Camilla Nylund, Salome

Alan Held, Jochanaan

Lukhanyo Moyake, Narraboth

Margaret Plummer, Page

Micahel Laurenz, Erster Jude

Peter Jelosits, Zweiter Jude

Carlos Osuna, Dritter Jude

Benedikt Kobel, Vierter Jude

Sorin Coliban, Fünfter Jude

Alexandru Moisiuc, Erster Nazarener

Hans Peter Kammerer, Zweiter Nazarener

Marcus Pelz, Erster Soldat

Dan Paul Dumitrescu, Zweiter Soldat

Hiro Ijichi, Ein Cappadocier

Alejandro Pizarro-Enriquez, Ein Sklave