C. Saint-Saens – Opera ‘Samson et Dalila’

Semi-staged performance of C. Saint-Saens’ Opera ‘Samson et Dalila’ (in French, with a piano accompaniment) by Exeter Opera Group.

Samson et Dalila is a three-act opera by Camille Saint-Saëns, based on the biblical story from the Book of Judges. The Israelites are oppressed by the Philistines, and their leader Samson inspires them to resist their enemies. The Philistine priestess Dalila seeks to discover the secret of Samson’s extraordinary strength. Using her charm and persuasion, she wins his trust and learns that his power lies in his uncut hair. After Dalila betrays him, Samson is captured, blinded, and imprisoned by the Philistines. In the opera’s dramatic conclusion, Samson calls upon God to restore his strength one last time and destroys the Philistine temple, sacrificing himself as he defeats his enemies.