Samson et Dalila – The Met Opera (12A)

Camille Saint-Saëns's grand opera *Samson et Dalila* brings the biblical tale of Samson and Delilah to life in a powerful three-act performance. Based on Chapter 16 of the Book of Judges, the opera features a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire and is the only Saint-Saëns opera regularly staged today.

Attendees can expect a dramatic evening anchored by Delilah's celebrated arias "Printemps qui commence" and "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" — the latter a cornerstone of the mezzo-soprano repertoire. The second act love scene in Delilah's tent stands as a defining moment of French opera, offering a rich, emotional experience.

This Met Opera production presents the work in a cinematic format, making the grandeur of Weimar's 1877 premiere accessible to modern audiences. The performance captures the tension and passion of Saint-Saëns's score, from the intimate duets to the sweeping choral passages.