Salome is performed in a single act, there is no interval

Salome is the daughter of Herodias by her first husband Philip. His brother imprisoned him in a disused well, so that Herod himself could enter on an adulterous and incestuous liaison with Philip's wife, Herodias. Twelve years later, Herod had his brother murdered in this same pit where he now keeps Jokanaan (John the Baptist) incarcerated.

While Herod holds a feast his guards keep watch on the terrace above Jokanaan's cell.

'How beautiful the Princess Salome is tonight!' The young Syrian captain Narraboth gazes longingly at Salome. The page who loves him tries to distract his attention by talking about the strange moon.

The two soldiers comment on the Jews at Herod's feast who argue about their religion. Jokanaan prophesies from his cell, 'After me will come One whose sandals I am not worthy to unstrap...When he comes the blind will see and the deaf will hear.' The soldiers disagree about the prisoner. For one, he is ludicrous; for the other a holy man. A Cappadocian pilgrim visiting Herod's court asks after Jokanaan: he learns that no one is allowed to see him.

Narraboth sees Salome coming from the feast. She couldn't stay: why did her step-father, the Tetrarch keep staring at her? Intrigued she hears a strange voice prophesying the advent of ' the Son of Man'. She knows the voice belongs to the prophet of whom Herod is frightened, the one who says terrible things about her mother. Narraboth tries to persuade her to leave. She insists on seeking Jokanaan. The soldiers refuse to obey her. Narraboth, she knows will do what she wants, because he loves her. He commands the soldiers to let the prophet out.

Jokanaan calls on Herod and Herodias to hear the voice of One crying in the wilderness. He does not name the Tetrarch or his wife but Salome knows Jokanaan means her mother, whom he accuses of incest.

Salome is fascinated by his eyes and by his asceticism. Jokanaan resents her gaze. He refuses to speak to her. When she announces who she is he tells her that her mother has filled the earth with the wine of her lusts: her sins cry out to God. To Salome his voice is like music. When he mentions the Son of Man she asks Jokanaan, 'Is he as beautiful as you?'

The prophet rebukes her. He hears the wings of the Angel of Death in the palace.

In turn, Salome declares her love for Jokanaan's white body, for his black hair and for his red lips. Each time, the Prophet repulses her, horrified. She is fixated by his mouth and longs to kiss it.