This isn't a complaint or anything, just an observation. I'm wondering if all Victorian English erotica is as violent as the examples you use. I've read the Loves of Lord Roxborough, and that too involves a randy aristocrat imposing his will on poor relations and a hapless servant girl. Sure, the women come to enjoy it, but rape is still rape. To get all deconstructionist, the stories seem to be reflections of the empire, with British men doing to women what they were doing to the rest of the world.
Salome was an excellent choice for the opera, btw. You do know your stuff,
Most of the Victorian age erotica I've found is male-centric and violent. Of course it was a time full of taboos, so a virgin turned into a cock-craving slut must have surely appealed to many in secret (it still does of course, for a lot of us). The other bits are from De Sade (Justine), who isn't known for his soft approach to sex in general.
Glad you picked up on the opera, the subject matter surely fitted the game and it's one of my favorite musical genres.
I've read other French erotica from the period, though, and in general it seems to be less aggressive.
As for the opera, Walküre might have been relevant, too, since it involves brother-sister incest, but it's not at all erotic, and, as Susan says, Wagner is way too much for a novice. I remember reading years ago about a performance in which the soporano in Salome actually appeared nude (briefly), so there is precedent.
Personally, I wouldn't mind a little Rape and Brutality now and then. "The 19 year old collegiate Samantha was resting on her bed and reading. Suddenly her window shattered and the man clothed in black landed on her back before she could move. He punched her in the head a couple of times to render her docile and easily controlled. Then he took a razor sharp butterfly knife and cut her clothes to ribbons. Ripping her legs apart in 1 bone breaking move he quickly undressed. His cock hard, he thrust at her ass cheeks and"......