Samson and Delilah is a grand opera in three acts and four scenes by Camille Saint-Saëns to a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire. It is also similar to the oratorio in its dramaturgical and musical plan. It was first performed in Weimar at the Grand Ducal Theater on December 2, 1877 in a German translation.
The opera is based on the Biblical tale of Samson and Delilah found in Chapter 16 of the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. It is the only opera by Saint-Saëns that is regularly performed. The second act love scene in Delilah's tent is one of the set pieces that define French opera. Two of Delilah's arias are particularly well known"Spring begins" and "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" "My heart opens itself to your voice", also known as "Softly awakes my heart", the latter of which is one of the most popular recital pieces in the mezzo-soprano/contralto repertoire.
Cast
Samson - James King
Dalila - Christa Ludwig
High Priest of Dagon - Bernd Weikl
Giuseppe Patane - conductor
RCA - 1973