Opera in three acts by Camille Saint-Saëns.
Libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire.
Creation in Weimar on 2 December 1877.
Libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire.
Creation in Weimar on 2 December 1877.
Based on the Biblical story of Delilah's seduction of Samson, this is the only opera by Saint-Saëns that is currently in the operatic repertory.
Performing Samson and Delilah reactivates reflexes that have lain dormant in our collective sub-conscious for eons. Saint-Saëns had been fascinated by the subject ever since discovering the libretto by Voltaire for Rameau. For Samson the music had vanished, and Saint-Saëns created, over nine years' time, a monumental fresco where the chorus has an exceptional dimension and breathes huge life into this operatic epic. After a very rocky start in 1877, the work took over the world stage as one of the most popular French operas ever. Camille Saint-Saëns was an atheist, and an infatigable traveller who had long explored Egypt and Algeria. He focused on this opportunity to develop themes with an Oriental dimension, surging forth from the telluric, primitive force of this story. The Oriental arabesques from the oboes, the high priestesses' chorus, spellbinding melodies wind throughout the orchestra which gives free rein to all its energy, like horses in a tribal, bewitched race.
This overwhelming production of Samson and Delilah brings together 70 performers from every walk of life: persons with reduced mobility, children and many others, That too is opera: bring the performing arts to life!
Performing Samson and Delilah reactivates reflexes that have lain dormant in our collective sub-conscious for eons. Saint-Saëns had been fascinated by the subject ever since discovering the libretto by Voltaire for Rameau. For Samson the music had vanished, and Saint-Saëns created, over nine years' time, a monumental fresco where the chorus has an exceptional dimension and breathes huge life into this operatic epic. After a very rocky start in 1877, the work took over the world stage as one of the most popular French operas ever. Camille Saint-Saëns was an atheist, and an infatigable traveller who had long explored Egypt and Algeria. He focused on this opportunity to develop themes with an Oriental dimension, surging forth from the telluric, primitive force of this story. The Oriental arabesques from the oboes, the high priestesses' chorus, spellbinding melodies wind throughout the orchestra which gives free rein to all its energy, like horses in a tribal, bewitched race.
This overwhelming production of Samson and Delilah brings together 70 performers from every walk of life: persons with reduced mobility, children and many others, That too is opera: bring the performing arts to life!
