Richard Strauss, Romain Rolland and Salomé

This paper traces the genesis of Richard Strauss's own French libretto to Salomé and examines to what extent he paid heed to the French author, Romain Rolland's suggested changes and alterations. To commence with, the background prior to Strauss seeking Rolland's assistance with his libretto, will be established. What was it that had attracted the composer's attention to the Irish born Oscar Wilde's play written in French? According to Strauss himself, it was the opening phrase of the play that 'provoked an avalanche of musical ideas'. The phrase in question is 'Comme la princesse Salomé est belle ce soir!' or as Richard Strauss first heard it: 'Wie schön ist die Prinzessin Salome heute Nacht!' It was also one of the phrases that would later irritate Romain Rolland when assisting Strauss with the libretto.