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Overview
Synopsis
Samson has been given strength and courage from God to lead the Hebrews in a deadly rebellion against the Philistines, where the name ‘Samson’ strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies. Only one has the power to bring Samson down, and the beautiful Dalila has vengeance in her heart. Her seductive power is too much for Samson. He fights against the hold she has upon him, but his God cannot offer the same warmth or comfort that this woman can, and he finally succumbs. But, Dalila has betrayed him. Samson and his people are put back in their chains. Blinded and shorn, Samson is thrown into prison to await his execution. As he is about to be sacrificed, Samson calls on God for the strength to take down his enemies. His prayer is granted and he toppled the marble pillars, bringing down the temple.
This old testament story is retold in Saint-Saëns’s sumptuous opera, where the rich orchestration and beautiful melodies tell of the extremes of human passion, and bring the action from the ancient deserts of Gaza into universal experience. Love, lust, vengeance, betrayal, fear, victory, and sacrifice are made visceral in this timeless opera, which could be considered one of the great predecessors to the verismo movement.
Show Information
- Music
- Camille Saint-Saëns
- Libretto
- Ferdinand Lemaire
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1866
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Gaza, Palestine, Old Testament
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Professional Opera, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
enter link description hereIn response to a resurgence of interest in oratorios and choral music, Camille Saint-Saëns wanted to write a piece with a religious subject, but in discussion with the librettist, Ferdinand Lemaire, it was decided that the story better suited an opera. Today, Samson et Dalila remains as Saint-Saëns’ most well-known operas, and one that enjoys it place on the repertory of the most important opera houses in
to read the context for Samson et Dalila and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One - A public square in the city of Gaza, in Palestine
The Hebrews are praying to their God, lamenting the plight of their people (“Dieu! Dieu d’Israël”). Their nation has been destroyed and their people have lost everything in the name of God (“Quoi! Veux-tu donc qu’à jamais on efface”). They ask where is the God that brought their people out of Egypt. Their leader, Samson tells them to be strong. They must not blaspheme the name of God because he will bring them great strength
to read the plot for Samson et Dalila and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contralto |
Songs
Act One - A public square in the city of Gaza, in Palestine
Chorus: ‘Dieu! Dieu d’Israël!’ - Chorus of Hebrews
Scene 1
‘Quoi! Veux-tu donc qu’à jamais on efface’ - Chorus of Hebrews
‘Arrêtez, ô mes frères!’ - Samson, Chorus of Hebrews
‘Implorons à genoux’ - Samson, Chorus of Hebrews
Scene 2
‘Qui donc élève ici la voix?’ and ‘Ce Dieu que votre voix’ - Abimilech, Chorus of Philistines
‘C’est toi que sa bouche invective’ - Samson, Chorus of Hebrews, Abimelech
‘Israël! romps la chaîne!’ - Samson, Chorus of Hebrews
Scene 3
‘Que vois-je! Abimélech!’ - High Priest, Abimelech’s Body, First and Second Philistine
Scene 4
‘Seigneur! La troupe furieuse’ - A Philistine Messenger, First and Second Philistine, High Priest
‘Maudite à jamais soit la race’ - High Priest
Scene 5
‘Hymne de joie, hymne de délivrance’ - Old Hebrew Men, an Old Hebrew
Scene 6
‘Voici le printemps’ - Philistine Ladies Chorus
‘Je viens célébrer la victoire’ - Dalila, Samson, and the Old Hebrew
Dance of the Priestesses of Dagon
‘Printemps qui commence’ - Dalilah, Old Hebrew
Act Two - The Valley of Soreck, in Palestine
Prelude
Scene 1
‘Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse’ - Dalilah
Scene 2
‘J’ai gravi la montagne’ - High Priest, Dalila
‘II faut, pour assouvir ma haine’ - Dalila, High Priest
Scene 3
‘En ces lieux, malgré moi’ - Samson, Dalila
‘Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix’ - Dalila, Samson
‘Par mes baisers je veux sécher tes larmes’ - Samson, Dalila
‘A moi! Philistins!’ - Dalila, Philistine Soldiers
Act Three
Scene 1 - A Prison in Gaza
‘Vois ma misère, hélas!’ - Samson, Chorus of Hebrews
Scene 2 - The inside of the Temple of Dagon
‘L’aube qui blanchit déjà les coteaux’ - Chorus of Philistines, Dalila, High Priest
Bacchanale
Scene 3
‘Salut! Salut au juge d'Israël’ - High Priest, Samson, Dalila, Chorus of Philistines
‘L'âme triste jusqu'à la mort’ - Samson, Dalila, Chorus of Philistines
‘Allons, Samson, divertis-nous’ - High Priest, Samson, Chorus of Philistines
‘Gloire à Dagon!’ - Dalila, High Priest, Chorus of Philistines, Samson
‘Souviens-toi de ton serviteur’ - Samson
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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Guide Written By:
Wendy Silvester
Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.