Richard Strauss’ risque Salome is not the sort of opera that has what might in other words be referred to as “mass appeal”, if such a thing exists in opera. (Maybe The Magic Flute?) I mean, depending on who’s singing the lead, she might or might not be required to strip during the “Dance of the Seven Veils”, down to at least the last veil, if not all the way. The severed head of John the Baptist also shows up, and she’s fighting off her stepfather’s sexual advances, and oh yeah she’s got to sing some very, very high notes over huge orchestration. Remember, Strauss. Mlada Khudoley’s got this one, though; this isn’t her first time at the rodeo. Tonight at 8, Sunday at 2:30, Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. (Chris Waddington, New Orleans Times-Picayune)