RICHARD Strauss’ opera Salome reaches its infamous climax with the head of John the Baptist delivered on a silver platter to a teenager whose sexual advances have been spurned.

While Opera North’s concert performance at Sage Gateshead did not have a decapitated prop, there was not need for gore, as the story of lust and revenge was vividly enough depicted in music and song.

The scene was set with a superb opening from tenor Oliver Johnston as Narraboth, delivering a rapturous vision of Salome.

Robert Hayward, established his authority as Jokanaan from the moment his booming baritone emerged from the darkness of the cistern in which he is imprisoned.

The star of the show was soprano Giselle Allen, who sang her part as Salome with energy and passion, projecting her voice with ease over enormous orchestral forces.

Her song praising Jokanaan’s body, hair and mouth oozed eroticism – blandishments met with palpable contempt from Jokanaan.

Arnold Bezuyen and Katarina Karneus were compelling as Herod and Herodias.

When Herod demands Salome dance for him and agrees she can have whatever she desires, we know what is coming.

There was a visceral power to Allen’s final monologue, taunting Jokanaan’s head for being unable to reply, as she became lost in her ecstasy and kissed his mouth.

The orchestra under Sir Richard Armstrong did full justice to Strauss’ ravishing score.

The final crescendo, as Salome was crushed to death beneath soldiers’ shields, ended with a crashing finality and was greeted with thunderous applause.

Gavin Engelbrecht