Opera
Samson and Delilah (French: Samson et Dalila), Op. 47, is a grand opera in three acts and four scenes by Camille Saint-Saëns to a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire.
It was first performed in Weimar at the Grossherzogliches (Grand Ducal)
Theater (now the Staatskapelle Weimar)
on 2 December 1877 in a German translation.
Performances
September 24th 2018 * **
September 28th 2018
Oktober 1st 2018
Oktober 5th 2018**
Oktober 9th 2018
Oktober13th 2018 **
Oktober 16th2018
Oktober 20th 2018 ***
* Openning saison 2018/2019 of the Metropolitan Opera
** broadcasting radio
*** Broadcasting cinémas HD live
Cast
Dalila : Elīna Garanča
Samson : Roberto Alagna
Grand Prêtre Dagon : Laurent Naouri
Abimélech : Elchin Azizov
Production : Darko Tresnjak
Sets :Alexander Dodge
Costumes : Linda Cho
Choreography : Austin McCormick
Conductor : Sir Mark Elder
Orchestre, choors and Ballet Metropolitan Opera
New Production
Press Review
« A powerful Samson with perfect accents, vocal audacity, deep commitment. Intense stage chemistry between two singers who could not be best. Triumph for the French tenor »
Ape musicale.it - Gustavo Gabriel Otero - oktober 13th 2018
“Star and Colossal: Roberto Alagna was a Samson with perfect accents. He recovered from an allergy that had incommoded him during the first performance of the run. In the performance we refer to (13 oct) he appeared in top form. His impeccable diction, the perfect art of the phrasing, the vocal audacity, the deep intentions and commitment in every sentence and his conviction on the stage ensured a triumph for the French tenor.”
PaulKuritz.com - Paul Kuritz - oktober 2018
“The principal players could not be better. True operatic matinee idols are reunited (20 oct), bringing the starry magic of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor; Elina Garanca and Roberto Alagna play the fated lovers. Stage chemistry could not get any more intense than this.”
Merkeronline - Johannes Marsteiner - Oktober 2018
“Roberto Alagna as Samson sang even much safer and more powerful than in the spring. His tenor rang strong and secure. The audience was thrilled. ”
Forum Opera - Christian Peter - Octobre 2018
« Alagna in perfect form, clear voice,resonant tone, duet of Act II at record-highs, heartbreaking ‘wheel-aria’, triumphant final top note »
EXCERPT : “As for Roberto Alagna, he completes this run with a flourish, ending a series of performances during which he had to overcome some allergy problems. He indeed refers to it during his interview at the intermission. As soon as he entered the stage, delivering the sentence "Arrêtez, O mes frères" with a clear and resonant voice, we understood that the game was won. His duet with Dalila at Act II reaches rarely matched heights, his “wheel” aria at Act III is heartbreaking from start to finish and his final top note triumphant.”
Gallery
