SALOME
Composed by: Richard Strauss
Libretto by: Hedwig Lachmann
Directed by: Alison Pogorelc
Des Moines Metro Opera - 2024
Conducted by: David Neely
Set by: Steven C. Kemp
Lighting by: Connie Yun
Costumes by: Jacob Climer
Make-Up + Hair by: Brittany Rappise
Choreography by: Jessica Lang
*Available to rent
“But opera should be a marriage of thrilling music and compelling theatre, and on that latter front the creative team also spectacularly delivered. Director Allison Polgorelc staged a wonderfully nuanced and varied production, taking full advantage of Steven C. Kemp’s visually arresting set design.
Simpson College’s Pote Theatre in the Blank Performing Arts Center is quite a unique operatic venue with a smallish proscenium stage spilling out onto a thrust area with the audience on three sides. The orchestra pit is sunken in the middle of the playing area, and there is a trap door that often features importantly in each production. Mr. Kemp made the obvious and effective decision to use the hydraulic trap door as the focal point of the cistern. That proved to be enormously effective as the prophet was lifted into view like an ascendant life force. When he was elevated still loftier for his final curse, he resembled no less than an avenging angel.”
James Sohre
Opera Today
