Recent European productions include performances at La Scala, Milan, in 2002 (Domingo and Borodina); the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 2004 (Denyce Graves and José Cura); the Royal Swedish Opera in 2008 (Anna Larsson and Lars Cleveman). Camille Saint-Saëns - José Carreras, Agnes Baltsa, Jonathan Summers, Simon Estes, Paata Burchuladze, Symphonie-Orchester* & Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Sir Colin Davis - Samson et Dalila ‎ (2xCD, + L) Philips Classics Productions: 426 243-2: Germany: 1990: Sell This Version Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. With these alluring lines, Delilah attempts to seduce Samson with the goal of tricking him into revealing the secret of his strength. Viardot was a triple threat. It was first performed in Weimar at the Grossherzogliches (Grand Ducal) Theater (now the Staatskapelle Weimar) on 2 December 1877 in a German translation. Samson and Delilah-Synopsis (French title: Samson et Dalila) An Opera by Charles Camille Saint-Saëns. The opera is based on the Biblical tale of Samson and Delilah found in Chapter 16 of the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. Its exotic and suggestive “ Bacchanale,” the opera’s best-known excerpt, is often performed in concerts as an instrumental arrangement. The opera has been revived numerous times not only in Europe and North America, but also in South America, Australia, and Asia. That same year acclaimed mezzo-soprano Pauline Viardot, for whom Saint-Saëns wrote the role of Dalila, organized and performed in a private performance of act 2 at a friend's home in Croissy, with the composer at the piano. Viardot was a great admirer of the work and she hoped that this private performance would encourage Halanzier, the director of the Paris Opéra who was in attendance, to mount a full production. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The curtain falls. Finally, Saint- Saëns’ melodies have the sensuality of the Italians and the orientalisms inspired by a stay in Algiers, during which the third act was composed. He further states that his god, Dagon, is far superior ("Ce Dieu que votre voix implore – This God that your voice implores"). Liszt was highly interested in producing new works by talented composers and persuaded Saint-Saëns to finish Samson and Delilah, even offering to produce the completed work at the grand-ducal opera house in Weimar. From the very beginning, the work was conceived as a grand duet between Samson and Dalila set off against the approaching tempest. [citation needed]. There is some evidence that the sets for the Met's production had been taken from some of their other operas, and at the second performance that season the work was given in concert, with the ballet sequences omitted; in this form the work traveled to Boston, where it was performed on 3 March 1895. n 1867, when Camille Saint-Saëns became fascinated with the Old Testament story of the Hebrew superhero Samson and his downfall at the hands of the alluring Philistine priestess Delilah, he initially decided to create an oratorio on the subject. Camille Saint-Saëns Samson et Dalila In Focus Premiere: Grand Ducal Theater, Weimar, 1877 The source of this popular opera is a single chapter in the biblical Book of Judges: Samson, a judge (a pre-monarchic leader) of the ancient Israelites, fights valiantly against the Philistines, enemies of his people, until Delilah seduces him and Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah. In North America, French contralto Jeanne Gerville-Réache is largely credited for popularizing the work in the United States and Canada during the early twentieth century. In England, the opera was first performed on 25 September 1893 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Composed by Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921). Samson, therefore, is presented as an inspiring leader rather than the almost supernatural hero of the Bible. The opera received its Paris premiere at the Éden-Théâtre on 31 October 1890 with Rosine Bloch as Dalila and Talazac singing Samson once again, this time with a much warmer reception by Paris audiences. Camille Saint-Saëns: Samson And Delilah - Highlights Choeurs René Duclos * & Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra, Conducted By Georges Prêtre Camille Saint-Saëns Plays Saint-Saëns / Josef Hofmann Plays Hofmann Camille Saint-Saëns / Josef Hofmann ("Behold my misery, alas! Feel free to have a look to the score preview and sound samples, quality guaranteed. Opera in three acts and four scenes. ', and he began to dig through the Bible while I outlined the plan of the work, even sketching scenes, and leaving him only the versification to do. Dalila vows to discover the secret of Samson's strength. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). She serves on the music faculty of Metropolitan State University of Denver and gives pre-performance talks for Opera Colorado and the Colorado Symphony... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This opera contains the sumptuous Bacchanale and arguably the most beautiful tune ever written for a mezzo, ‘ Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix’ (‘softly awakes my heart’). 47, is a grand opera in three acts and four scenes by Camille Saint-Saëns to a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire. But when he enlisted Ferdinand Lemaire to help on the libretto, Lemaire persuaded him to try it as an opera. When Camille Saint-Saëns’s new opera “Samson and Delilah” was strugg... ling to find a venue for its world premiere, an artist stepped forward to advocate for it: Pauline Viardot, the woman who inspired its leading heroine. She could sing. And she also drew upon her deep well of musical knowledge to compose. G. come help my weakness"). This opera is therefore a fusion of a wide variety of musical traditions. 47, is a grand opera in three acts and four scenes by Camille Saint-Saëns to a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire.It was first performed in Weimar at the Grossherzogliches (Grand Ducal) Theater (now the Staatskapelle Weimar) on 2 December 1877 in a German translation.. introduces her main aria "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix – My heart opens to your voice", which becomes a duet on the second verse when Samson joins her in song. It was not staged in London until 1909 when the ban was finally lifted. In the decades after World War II, it was less often heard by European audiences; but since the 1980s it has regained much of its former Continental popularity. In 1867, Saint-Saëns' initial idea for a dramatic work on the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah was to set it as an oratorio. Samson's numerous attempts to conceal the secret of his strength in the Biblical account are only referenced by Dalila in her duet with the High Priest in the opera, and the revelation that his strength resides in his hair occurs offstage. [1], Although Liszt was no longer the musical director in Weimar, he still exerted a powerful influence at the Weimar court. Piano, Vocal (Score) Vocal Score. [11], Samson et Dalila became a consistent presence in the opera houses of Europe. Find The Metropolitan Opera on Facebook (opens new window) Find The Metropolitan Opera on Twitter (opens new window) Find The Metropolitan Opera on Instagram (opens new window) Saint-Saëns: Highlights from Samson and Delilah - Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin By Camille Saint-Saëns, Jan Peerce, Licia Albanese, Rise Stevens, Robert Merrill, Robert Shaw Chorale, Leopold Stokowski's Symphony Orchestra, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski. ... Saint-Saëns, Camille, 1835-1921, composer; Lemaire, Ferdinand, fl. Detailed Description. In an attempt to seduce Samson away from his leadership of the Israelite uprising, Dalila and the priestesses begin a sexually charged dance for him accompanied by a tambourine. На нашем сайте всегда можно слушать Романтическая Музыка - Camille Saint-Saens - Samson And Delila онлайн или скачать Романтическая Музыка - Camille Saint-Saens - Samson And Delila в высоком MP3 качестве The role of Delilah is considered to be one of the great opera roles for the mezzo-soprano. Although the libretto of Samson et Dalila is taken from Chapter 16 of the Book of Judges, the opera does not include the accounts of Samson's heroic deeds which earned him both fame and leadership among the Hebrews. [1], As dawn breaks the Hebrews lift up a humble prayer to God in a style reminiscent of plainchant. Details. She says that all of his strength is hopeless to withstand love's onslaught ("Amour! Produced: Weimar, December 2, 1877. Liszt's sustained support however led to the work being mounted in Weimar in 1877. Samson -- a warrior who draws his superhuman strength from his long hair -- is seduced by the beautiful Delilah. Among his best works are his Symphony no 3 (with organ) , Piano Concerto no 2, Violin Concerto no 3, Cello Concerto no 1, the opera Samson and Delilah and the … [1], A young relative of mine had married a charming young man who wrote verse on the side. Born in Paris on 9th October 1835, Saint-Saëns was a child prodigy. The libretto was duly translated into German for the production and the opera's first performance was given on 2 December 1877 at the Grossherzogliches Theatre (Grand Ducal Theater). And this is my favorite recording of it. Samson and Delilah - Improvisation is a popular song by Camille Saint-Saëns | Create your own TikTok videos with the Samson and Delilah - Improvisation song … A towering biblical epic, Saint-Saëns’s operatic take on the story of Samson and Delilah has many of the hallmarks of grand opera—show-stopping vocal displays, thrilling choruses, and an engrossing plot set against a sweeping, pseudo-historical backdrop. Samson and Delilah (French: Samson et Dalila), Op. Samson and Delilah Camille Saint-Saëns [ New production ] ... Saint-Saëns' opera was inspired by the fascinating biblical story of Samson and Delilah, which explores the eternal struggle between cunning and might. If not for his close and influential friendship with Liszt, the composition may never have been completed.Even though his chamber works and symphonies attracted considerable attention, more assured musical glory existed in the theater. The opera includes some material not found in the Bible such as the death of Abimélech in act 1. His admission Je t'aime! Samson and Delilah, French Samson et Dalila, opera by Camille Saint-Saëns that premiered in Weimar on December 2, 1877, having previously been rejected in Paris for its portrayal of biblical subject matter. José Cura (tenor) as Samson; Olga Borodina (mezzo-soprano) as Delilah; London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; Colin Davis (conductor). Music with Ease > 19th Century French Opera > Samson and Delilah (Saint-Saëns) - Synopsis. Although the orchestration was not yet complete, act 2 was presented in a private performance in 1870 just prior to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War with Saint-Saëns playing the orchestral parts, which were largely improvised, on the piano. Samson et Dalila, Op. Two of Delilah's arias are particularly well known: "Printemps qui commence" ("Spring begins") and "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" ("My heart opens itself to your voice", also known as "Softly awakes my heart"), the latter of which is one of the most popular recital pieces in the mezzo-soprano/contralto repertoire. , Danse Macabre, the opera was not staged in London until 1909 when the ban was finally lifted has... The subject was taken up by M. Saint-Saëns before the Franco-Prussian war, and then Weimar. 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