SALOME

It was the sensation of the 2018 Salzburg Festival: Romeo Castellucci's courageous production of Salome at the Felsenreitschule, which boasts great images. A brilliant cast of singers performed in the magnificent setting, but one still outshone them all, Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian as the title heroine, who not only made a stunning role debut, but also sang her way into new star status. She dominated the evening with gestures, steps and "breathtaking vocal power reserves" and was celebrated accordingly by the critics: Der Spiegel wrote: "Her infinitely powerful goose skin voice, which swept the orchestra along, drew the turmoil and mental suffering of the sense-seeking Salome in a touchingly sensual way. In addition, Grigorian literally explodes with acting accents, which director Castellucci steered with pinpoint accuracy and a sure sense of effect. But there's no question that you can't direct a talent as effervescent and temperamental as Grigorian by the millimeter." Together with Franz Welser-Möst's ravishing conducting, she earned cheers for this at the premiere.