Description
Saint-Saëns - Samson Et Dalila / Jose Carreras, Agnes Baltsa, Jonathan Summers, Simon Estes, Paata Burchuladze, Symphonie-Orchester & Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Sir Colin Davis / Philips 2x Audio CD, Box Set 1990 Stereo / 426 243-2
UPC 028942624320
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.
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: "Printemps qui commence" ("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.
| Label: | Philips – 426 243-2 |
|---|---|
| Series: | Philips Digital Classics |
| Format: |
2 x CD, Album, Box Set
|
| Country: | Europe |
| Released: |
1990 |
| Genre: | Classical |
| Style: | Romantic, Opera |
Tracklist:
| Samson Et Dalila, Opera In 3 Acts, Op. 47 | |||
| Act 1 | |||
| 1-1 | Dieu! Dieu D'Israel! | 9:44 | |
| 1-2 | Arrêtez, Ô Mes Frères! | 6:01 | |
| 1-3 | Qui Donc Élève Ici La Voix? | 5:33 | |
| 1-4 | Que Vois-Je? Abimélech Frappé Par Des Esclaves! |
1:10 | |
| 1-5 | Seigneur! La Troupe Furieuse | 2:51 | |
| 1-6 | Hymne De Joie | 5:49 | |
| 1-7 | Voici Le Printemps | 5:36 | |
| 1-8 | Danse Des Prêtresses De Dagon | 2:24 | |
| 1-9 | Printemps Qui Commence | 6:04 | |
|
Act 2 |
|||
| 1-10 | Prélude | 2:04 | |
| 1-11 | Samsom, Recherchant Ma Présence | 4:25 | |
| 1-12 | J'Ai Gravi La Montagne | 6:19 | |
| 2-1 | Oui!... Déjà Par Trois Fois | 16:54 | |
| 2-2 | Mon Coeur S'Ouvre À Ta Voix | 11:50 | |
|
Act 3 |
|||
| 2-3 | Vois Ma Misère, Hélas! | 11:34 | |
| 2-4 | L'Aube Qui Blanchit Déjà Les Coteaux | 3:15 | |
| 2-5 | Bacchanale | 6:19 | |
| 2-6 | Salut! Salut Au Juge D'Israel | 7:22 | |
| 2-7 | Gloire À Dagon Vainqueur! | 7:17 |
- Art Direction – George Cramer
- Baritone Vocals [Deuxieme Philistin] – Urban Malmberg
- Baritone Vocals [Le Grand-Prêtre de Dagon] – Jonathan Summers
- Bass Vocals [Abimélech] – Simon Estes
- Bass Vocals [Un vieillard hébreu] – Paata Burchuladze
- Chorus – Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
- Chorus Master – Hans-Peter Rauscher
- Conductor – Sir Colin Davis
- Engineer – Erdo Groot, Roger de Schot, Stan Taal
- Engineer [Balance] – Hein Dekker
- Libretto By – Ferdinand Lemaire
- Mezzo-soprano Vocals [Dalila] – Agnes Baltsa
- Orchestra – Symphonie-Orchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
- Producer – Mike Brenner
- Tenor Vocals [Premier Philistin] – Donald George Smith
- Tenor Vocals [Samson] – José Carreras
- Tenor Vocals [Un messager Philistin] – Robert Swensen
