HERODIADE, A'ro'dyad, a tragic opera in five acts by Jules Massenet, based on Flau bert's 'Herodias.' Originally produced at Brussels in 1881, in New Orleans 1892 and in London as 'Salome' in 1904. Though based on the biblical story the plot is different. The scene is laid in Jerusalem, about A.D. 30, and the principal characters are John the Baptist; Herod, king of Galilee; Herodias, his queen; Salome, who does not know that she is the daughter of Herodias; Phanuel, a young Jew; Vitellius, a Roman proconsul, and the High Priest. Salome enters the court of Herod's palace and tells Phanuel that she is seeking John the Prophet, who had saved her life when a child in the desert. Herod is in love with Salome; his wife demands the head of the prophet for having insulted her (Herodias), when John appears and denounces them both. They rush out, terrified; Salome now re-enters and confesses her love to John. Herod's mind is obsessed with thoughts of Salome while Herodias is jealously vigilant. The latter comes to Phanuel crying on the woman who has stolen Herod's love!" She asks Phanuel what had become of her long lost daughter; pointing from a window he in dicates Salome, who is entering the temple. In horror the queen exclaims, daughter? Never! She is my rival!( John has mean while been thrown into prison and Salome ar rives exhausted with grief at the gate. Herod
appears and passionately pleads his love; she rejects his advances and declares she loves an other. Herod expresses his resolve to find out and kill his rival. John is tried and condemned by the priests; Salome falls at his feet implor ing to die with him. Herod now understands, and decrees that both shall die. They are im prisoned together; John admits his love for her but urges her to leave him, which she re fuses to do. She is dragged out by priests who convey her to the palace while John is led to his death. An imperial festival is being held in the great hall of the temple when Salome is brought in. She repeats her desire to die with her lover, appealing to the queen with the words, 9f thou wert ever a mother, pity me). Trembling at the word (mother,' Herodias ap pears to relent when the executioner appears and announces that the prophet is dead. With a furious cry Salome rushes to the queen and attempts to stab her, when Herodias cries, (Mercy! I am thy mother!' Horrified, Salome falls back, curses her mother and stabs herself. Some of the finest music of Massenet is to be found in this opera.