Review: Houston Symphony’s “Salome”

In Saturday’s (6/8) EarRelevant, Lawrence Wheeler writes, “Friday evening at Jones Hall, music director Juraj Valčuha and the Houston Symphony presented the biggest concert production in the orchestra’s history: ‘Salome’ In Concert. A multimedia event led by creative director Adam Larsen, the performance included scenic projections, stylized costumes, theatrical lighting, and custom-built design and staging elements for an immersive experience. That experience began the moment you entered the hall, which was dimly lit, including the stage … There were platforms … that ran through the orchestra … allowing the singers to move throughout the performance … Based on Oscar Wilde’s play, Richard Strauss wrote the eponymous opera in 1905…. Soprano Jennifer Holloway stole the show in her title role as Salome… Holloway provided … stunning singing and compelling acting…. As befits the music of one of the greatest orchestrators, the star feature of the evening was the Houston Symphony. Conductor Juraj Valčuha led an energetic, unified, and remarkably well-balanced performance…. This concert is the featured event for the League of American Orchestras Conference held this week in Houston. Along with the Houston audience, those important and knowledgeable visitors were treated to a spectacular production with world-class singers and a fabulous-sounding Houston Symphony.”