Stratas told a great story about the making of this film. Originally it was supposed to have been conducted by Herbert von Karajan and(at least she thought)was only to be a film. Then Karajan told her he would conduct it fully staged afterwards, as he frequently did then. She voiced overwhelming doubts as to her ability to do Salome onstage. He told her not to worry; there would be a ballerina to do the Dance of the 7 Veils. Stratas replied, "the Dance is the only thing I know I can do!"
When she didn't budge, Karajan dropped the whole project. Later she was approached about doing the film with Karl Bohm conducting. She immediately agreed. |
