from Act III, Scene 2 of the French opera Hérodiade by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Paul Milliet

Role: Hérode, King of Galilee, the husband of Hérodiade

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: the Temple, Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod Antipas (30 AD)

Synopsis: Hérode finds Salomé, whom he is lusting after. He tells her that he will let her love, Jean (John the Baptist), free if she will submit to his love. As a way of convincing her, he tells her of the joy and passion she brings to him.

from Act II, Scene 1 of the French opera Hérodiade by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Paul Milliet

Role: Hérode, King of Galilee, the husband of Hérodiade

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: Hérode's apartment, Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod Antipas (30 AD)

Synopsis: Hérode sings of his passionate desire for Salomé, who he does not know is actually his wife's daughter.

from Act I of the French opera Hérodiade by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Paul Milliet

Role: Hérodiade, wife of Hérode and mother of Salomé

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: dramatic mezzo

Setting: courtyard of Hérode's palace, Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod Antipas (30 AD)

Synopsis: Hérodiade curses Jean the prophet (John the Baptist), who has insulted her. She asks Hérode to have Jean arrested as retribution.

from Act IV of the French opera Hérodiade by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Paul Milliet

Role: Jean, John the Baptist

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: dramatic tenor/heldentenor

Setting: prison, Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod Antipas (30 AD)

Synopsis: Jean has been sentenced to death for being a false Messiah. As he prepares for death, he says goodbye to the objects of mortals.

from Act III, Scene 1 of the French opera Hérodiade by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Paul Milliet

Role: Phanuel, an Chaldean astrologer

Voice Part: bass       Fach: lyric bass

Setting: the home of Phanuel, Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod Antipas (30 AD)

Synopsis: Phanuel studies the stars and wonders aloud if Jean (John the Baptist) is a true prophet or just a man trying to start a revolution.

from Act III, Scene 2 of the French opera Hérodiade by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Paul Milliet

Role: Salomé, the daughter of Hérodiade

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: spinto

Setting: the Temple, Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod Antipas (30 AD)

Synopsis: With her love Jean (John the Baptist) arrested for revolutionary acts, Salomé laments the loss of the joy she felt when they were together.

from Act I of the French opera Hérodiade by Jules Massenet

Libretto: Paul Milliet

Role: Salomé, the daughter of Hérodiade

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: spinto

Setting: courtyard of Hérode's palace, Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod Antipas (30 AD)

Synopsis: Salomé is looking for her mother. She was abandoned at birth and does not know that she is actually the daughter of the King's wife, Hérodiade. She tells Phanuel of her determination to find her mother and then continues, telling him that the only one who understands her is the prophet Jean (John the Baptist).