Based on the biblical Book of Judges, Samson et Dalila follows the legendary Hebrew hero Samson, whose extraordinary strength becomes his downfall when he falls in love with the Philistine Dalila. As she is persuaded to uncover the secret of his power, betrayal leads to Samson's capture, setting the story on a path toward its dramatic conclusion. The opera unfolds across ancient Gaza and the Valley of Sorek, combining romance, political conflict and religious struggle.
The opera features music by Camille Saint-Saëns, with a libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire, and is staged by Darko Tresnjak (Tony Award winner for A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder).
Originally premiered in Weimar in 1877, Samson et Dalila is one of the defining works of French grand opera. Its score includes some of Saint-Saëns's best-known music, including Dalila's aria "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" and the celebrated Bacchanale, performed by a large orchestra and chorus in the Metropolitan Opera's large-scale production.
