Opera in three acts at The Royal Opera Covent Garden. Music by Camille Saint-Sans, Libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire. Producer: Elijah Moshinsky, Designer: Sidney Nolan, Directed For Video By John Vernon. Samson: Jon Vickers, Abimelech: John Tomlinson, First Philistine: Maldwyn Davies, Second Philistine: Matthew Best, High Priest Of Dagon: Jonathan Summers, Messenger: John Dobson, Ancient Hebrew: Gwynne Howell, Dalila: Shirley Verrett. With The Royal Opera Chorus and The Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House; Conductor Colin Davis. Saint-Sans' Samson et Dalila has all the ingredients for popular success. The subject, based on Chapter 16 of the Book of Judges, is well known and lends itself to spectacular presentation, not least in the final scene as the blinded Samson summons his strength to bring down the pillars of the temple The title roles are equally rewarding, matching the voluptuous lines of Dalila's music with an essentially heroic tenor part for Samson. At the Royal Opera House, the roles have outstanding interpreters in Shirley Verrett and Jon Vickers. The designs are by the distinguished Australian artist, Sidney Nolan. Program language: French with Subtitles in English / French / German / Italian / Portuguese / Spanish / Japanese. Sound: Dolby 2.0 Color, Running Time 134 minutes.

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In ancient Palestine, the Hebrews live as slaves under the Philistines. Samson, a Hebrew of enormous strength, appears and leads a revolt and kills the Philistine leader Abimelech after Abimelech tries to force the Hebrews to worship Dagon, a Philistine god. After his success, the beautiful, seductive Philistine Dalila entreats Samson to come to her that night, intending to trick him and learn the secret of his unnatural strength. Samson goes to Dalila and falls prey to her trickery, after which he is captured, blinded and led away. The Hebrews are once again in the power of the Philistines due to Samson's weakness with Dalila, and the once-mighty Samson is brought into a Philistine temple. There, he is ordered to pray to Dagon. Samson seems to acquiesce, but as he is led to the altar, he prays that his God will restore his strength for one last victory. His prayer is granted, and Samson smashes the columns that support the stone temple, bringing destruction to the temple and death to both his oppressors and himself. Among the many popular arias from this work are "Printemps qui commence," "Isral! romps ta chane" and "Mon coeur s'ouvre ta voix." ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

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