Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila (2016)
Opera in three acts and four scenes (1877)
Lightning streaks through the skies as Dalila declares her love to Samson in one of the finest arias of romantic opera. “My heart awakens to your voice like a flower to the kiss of dawn.” An enchanting yet treacherous beauty… When the thunder at last rumbles, Dalila betrays Samson and offers him up to his enemies: “Come up, for this time he has shown me all his heart”, she whispers to them in the night (The Old Testament, Book of Judges). Based on a violent and erotic biblical story, Saint-Saëns’s opera – composed in 1877, much to Liszt’s insistence – would not be performed at the Palais Garnier until fifteen years later. This first Parisian performance in 1892 included the hitherto unperformed “Dance Of The Priestesses”. Nevertheless, it became one of the most performed French operas in the world, together with Faust and Carmen. Conducted by Philippe Jordan, this new production brings back a repertoire masterpiece that has not been performed at the Paris Opera for twenty-five years.
Cast
- Anita Rachvelishvili - Dalila
- Aleksandrs Antonenko - Samson
- Egils Silins - The Great Priest of Dagon
- Nicolas Testé - Abimélech
- Nicolas Cavallier - Old Hebrew
- Philippe Jordan - Self - Conductor
Screenplay
- Ferdinand Lemaire (Screenplay)
Trailer
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila TrailerFrequently Asked Questions
- What is Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila about?
- Lightning streaks through the skies as Dalila declares her love to Samson in one of the finest arias of romantic opera. “My heart awakens to your voice like a flower to the kiss of dawn.” An enchanting yet treacherous beauty… When the thunder at last rumbles, Dalila betrays Samson and offers him up to his enemies: “Come up, for this time he has shown me all his heart”, she whispers to them in the night (The Old Testament, Book of Judges). Based on a violent and erotic biblical story, Saint-Saëns’s opera – composed in 1877, much to Liszt’s insistence – would not be performed at the Palais Garnier until fifteen years later. This first Parisian performance in 1892 included the hitherto unperformed “Dance Of The Priestesses”. Nevertheless, it became one of the most performed French operas in the world, together with Faust and Carmen. Conducted by Philippe Jordan, this new production brings back a repertoire masterpiece that has not been performed at the Paris Opera for twenty-five years.
- Who stars in Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila?
- Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila stars Anita Rachvelishvili, Aleksandrs Antonenko, Egils Silins, Nicolas Testé, Nicolas Cavallier, Philippe Jordan.
- How long is Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila?
- Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila has a runtime of 2h 15m (135 minutes).
- What genre is Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila?
- Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila is a Drama film.