Thanks to Salomé (1905) and Elektra (1909) Richard Strauss was soon hailed as the legitimate heir to Wagner. His use of advanced harmonic language blended with a solid, practical knowledge of theatrical “specifics” touched the borders of modernity. The text was set by Oscar Wilde and Strauss was very determined to reach a perfect harmony between the music and the words. To recreate the atmosphere of the libretto and respect French aesthetics, Strauss drew inspiration first and foremost from Pelléas et Mélisande by Debussy, whose influence is quite clear in the writing of Salomé. The original French version of the opera had fallen into oblivion and music publishers no longer knew of its existence. It was thanks to the Munich Richard Strauss Institute that the original manuscript was finally rediscovered. Dynamic are pleased to be able to present the original French version of the opera. It was recorded in 2007 at the Valle d’Itria Summer Festival on the 100th anniversary of the first staging.