Strauss, R: Salome An opera in one act

Reiner Goldberg, Anja Silja, Inga Nielsen, Robert Hale

Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Michael Schonwandt

CD - 2 discs

“Inga Nielsen is a Salome of quite exceptional talent, even inspiration. Better than any of her predecessors she creates a princess who sounds credibly teenaged with surely just the pearl-like yet needle-sharp tone Strauss intended. Nobody has so convincingly conveyed the impression of a spoilt, petulant innocent with the will and determination to get her way – and then exploited her manipulative character to frightening effect as, sexually awakened, Salome becomes obsessed with the body of Jokanaan. In a performance that’s vocally stunning from Salome’s first entrance, Nielsen fashions her reading with supreme intelligence in her response to words and notes. Throughout she sings keenly, even maliciously off the text. While still having nothing but praise for Studer’s beautifully sung portrayal on the Sinopoli set – her tone is more refulgent, less narrow than Nielsen’s but she isn’t so much inside the role – or for Nilsson’s vocally overwhelming portrayal for Solti, Nielsen simply seems a Salome by nature, made for the part. Gramophone Classical Music Guide 2010