For an opera about an action hero, camille saintsaenss samson et dalila is remarkably actionfree. Samson, a judge a premonarchic leader of the ancient israelites, fights valiantly against the philistines, enemies of his people, until delilah seduces him and. My heart awakens to your voice like a flower to the kiss of dawn. Jan 17, 2019 samson s calling from birth was to begin the deliverance of israel from philistine oppression judges. Grand ducal theater, weimar, 1877 the source of this popular opera is a single chapter in the biblical book of judges. Samson and delilah, french samson et dalila, opera by camille saintsaens that premiered in weimar on december 2, 1877, having previously been rejected in paris for its portrayal of biblical subject matter. Saintsaens samson and delilah pdf free download epdf. The enslaved hebrews are made to work by their masters, the. The three previous times tenor frank porretta has taken on the male title role in saintsaens samson and delilah, it was in a state of panic. The work was never staged due to censorship, although voltaire later printed his text.
This stimulated him enough to initiate efforts on what later became his bestknown opera, samson et dalila. And behold delilah, the philistine temptress, who uses all her feminine allure to learn the secret of samson s might. It was first performed in weimar at the grossherzogliches grand ducal theater in1877 in a german translation. Samson et dalila january 21 salle wilfridpelletier contralto marienicole lemieux plays the seductress delilah for the first time in camille saintsaens 19thcentury opera in a production by the largest francophone opera company in north america. Samson et dalila translation into english examples french. When reading the account of samson s life and then his downfall with delilah, you might tend to think samson wasted his life and that he was a failure. I see opera as a total package, singers, costumes and sets. The tumultuous, romantic opera, samson and dalila is one of. The jews, led by samson, are winning new victories, so the priest promises delilah anything she wants for betraying the hero in his hands. This is an excellent modern production of samson and dalila, starring placido domingo, and recorded live in september 1998 exactly 30 years after his debut at the metropolitan opera. Samson and delilahpage 1 opera classics library seriespage 2 samson and delilahpage 3.
A towering biblical epic, saintsaenss operatic take on the story of samson and delilah has many of the hallmarks of grand operashowstopping vocal displays, thrilling choruses, and an engrossing plot set against a sweeping, pseudohistorical backdrop. Samson and delilah translation into french examples. Its exotic and suggestive bacchanale, the opera s bestknown excerpt, is often performed in concerts as an instrumental arrangement. Classical opera tickets are currently on sale for the onstage production of samson and delilah and you will want to treat yourself out to enjoy this masterful opera by renowned composer camille saintsaens. Jun 20, 2008 camille saintsaens lived from the waning years of musics classical era, all the way into the early decades of 20thcentury modernism. Remarkably, other aspects of the production, like stone pillars, hold it together for. Delilah waits for samson, but her thoughts are full of no love but revenge. Even the climactic moment when delilah shears the heros hair takes place offstage.
Samson et dalila, opera in 3 acts, details allmusic. Saintsaens samson et dalila, act iii sore my distress, my guilt and anguish the victrola book of the opera. Samson abandoned his godassigned mission to please the woman who had stolen his affections. Click on the button to go to the page where you can download the music. Samson was an opera by the french composer jeanphilippe rameau with a libretto by voltaire. Camille saintsaens lived from the waning years of musics classical era, all the way into the early decades of 20thcentury modernism. Together with faust and carmen, samson and dalila remains the most popular opera in the french repertory. Israel was under the rule and oppression of the philistines.
Set around 1150 bc, it takes place in the city of gaza, a capital of ancient philistia and the foothill country leading to jerusalem. Demille is exemplified in this story of the bibles legendary strongman and the woman who seduces, then betrays him. Samson and delilah opera journeys libretto series french and english edition. Its exotic and suggestive bacchanale, the operas bestknown excerpt, is often performed in concerts as an instrumental arrangement.
First, there were the various challenges of matching the composer and librettist. Samson and delilah its easy to forget the problems there might have been in bringing an opera such as samson and delilah to the stage. Samson and delilah is a very familiar story and the 4 acts capture that high points of the story very well. With hedy lamarr, victor mature, george sanders, angela lansbury. Watch movie and read libretto and translation of vois ma misere helas, a recitative for tenor, from the french opera samson et dalila by camille saintsaens. Vocally, you can get lost in the depth of her rich mezzosoprano voice. Behold samson the israelite, greatest of all heroes, a role made for a true heroic tenor.
It was first performed in weimar at the grand ducal theater now the staatskapelle weimar on 2 december 1877 in a german translation. Nevertheless, the opera does contain three notable sequences being. Placido domingo was still at his vocal best here, which was not the case with his farewell performance in samson et dalila with the metropolitan opera. Vois ma misere helas samson et dalila camille saintsaens. Set of parts sheet music by camille saintsaens 18351921. This article falls within the scope of wikiproject opera, a group writing and editing wikipedia articles on operas, opera terminology, opera composers and librettists, singers, designers, directors and managers, companies and houses, publications and recordings. The classic story of samson and delilah as told by cecil b. English version by frederic lyster see other formats saintsaens samson et dalila, libretto, english french. The french opera samson and delilah is one of most renowned operas of the 19th century, and it is still a favorite.
It premiered in 1877 and remains the sole opera in the popular modern opera repertoire by this prolific composer. At the end of each line you find more information about the music of that specific performer. Download the new ipad app to watch on your tv with apple tv via airplay. Rameau intended the opera on the theme of samson and delilah as the successor to his debut hippolyte et aricie, which premiered in october 1733. Some people see opera purely in terms of the singers. This is a lesser known opera, nor does saintsaens enjoy the full recognition is music deserves. It was first performed in weimar at the grossherzogliches grand ducal theater now the staatskapelle weimar on 2 december 1877 in a german translation. It is based on the story of samson and delilah in the old testament of the bible. I feel cheated when i pay good money and get stylized setsor no sets at all. Thus the stage is set for one of the most stupendous climactic scenes to be seen in an opera house. Samson and delilah new orleans mahalia jackson theater of the performing arts tickets. For example 602 m128 means that this performer offers a mp3 file of 128kbps that takes 6. The libretto, penned by ferdinand lemaire, is adapted from the biblical story of samson and delilah found within the old testament.
The mature domingo is outstanding in the role of samson and the cast also includes olga borodina as dalila and sergei leiferkus as the high priest of dagon. Theres a great deal to admire in samson and delilah, particularly in lamarrs performance, but matures presence is an endlessly smiling behemoth threatening to bring the show to ruins. Instrumentation voices, mixed chorus, orchestra related works pieces based on samson et dalila external links wikipedia article historic recordings list samson et dalila scores at sheet music plus. The opera was first performed in weimar, germany on 2 december 1877. Also, samson and delilah is an opera by camille saintsaens that premiered in germany at the end of 1877. It was thanks to the encouragement of his librettist, ferdinand lemaire, that the work was given the full dramatic treatment the tales two protagonists deserved. It is a french opera, but had been previously rejected in paris because of its biblical subject matter. Amour, viens aider ma fablesse dalila, act 2, mon coeur souvre a ta voix dalila, act 2 and the bacchanale act 3. Feb 12, 2016 the story of samson and delilah reminds us just how important it is to guard our hearts and follow gods way. Maria callas mon coeur souvre a ta voix samson and. The story of samson and delilah excites skepticism in many modern minds.
The words and story of the opera the libretto were written by ferdinand lemaire. Met opera on demand delivers instant access to more than 500 met performances, including live in hd videos, classic telecasts and radio broadcasts. The second act love scene in delilahs tent is one of the set pieces that define french opera. Samson and delilah new orleans tickets samson and delilah. Frank porretta has title role in tulsa operas samson and. Print and download mon coeur souvre a ta voix from samson and delilah sheet music. The opera was first performed in weimar, germany on 2 december. Samson et dalila met 1998 samson et dalila opera online.
The actors voices were amazing, the orchestra was awesome, and the sets were tremedous. Some years after its premiere, it still creates the same murky magic and exudes a voluptuousness that the holy scriptures would certainly reproach. Samson and delilah tickets samson and delilah tickets dont miss this magical production. Release includes a booklet with a three language synopsis english french. Samson and delilah is an absolute mustsee show, so dont miss out on getting tickets to catch a performance in new orleans in the near future. Most famous, probably, is the operas excerpt bacchanale from act iii. Lightning streaks through the skies as dalila declares her love to samson in one of the finest arias of romantic opera. Of his small operatic output samson et dalila, based on the book of judges, is the only one to have secured a firm place in the opera repertory today. Samson et dalila is camille saintsaens magnificent threeact opera based on the biblical story of samson and delilah, with a french libretto by ferdinand lemaire. The project discussion page is a place to talk about issues and exchange ideas. Samson was a man of unmatched physical strength, but when he fell in love with a woman named delilah, he met his match. Saintsaenss famous opera soars with some of the most splendid vocal music in french grand opera, including delilahs bewitching mon c.
Saintsaens samson et dalila rudel, domingo, verrett, san. Samson et dalila at the dallas opera russian singer borodina is a nearly perfect dalila. See more ideas about opera, opera singers and opera music. Samson et dalila is not only one of operas alltime favorites, especially for mezzo sopranos, who lack many leading roles carmen, another french opera, being. Samson and delilah opera journeys libretto series french and. Release includes a booklet with a three language synopsis english french german, full cast list and detailed track list. Music from the film original soundtrack on allmusic 2009. Samson charles alves da cruz, delilah klara uleman nl, high priest peter michailov, abimelech murad amirkhanian, old general vincent le texier, messager charlotte besijn.