Description
Samson et Dalila: A San Francisco Opera Treasure
UPC 4006680102023
Product Features
- Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns
- Opera: Samson et Dalila
- Genre: Opera in Three Acts
- Language: Sung in French
- Libretto: Ferdinand Lemaire
- Main Cast: Plácido Domingo (Samson), Shirley Verrett (Dalila), Wolfgang Brendel (High Priest of Dagon)
- Conductor: Julius Rudel
- Directed by: Nicolas Joel
- Directed for Video by: Kirk Browning
- Orchestra and Chorus: San Francisco Opera
- Production Year: 1981
- Sound Format: PCM Stereo
- Picture Format: 4:3
- Subtitles: Multiple including English, French, Spanish
- Running Time: 211 minutes
- Media Type: DVD, PAL format
Overview
From the prestigious San Francisco Opera House in 1981 comes "Samson et Dalila," Camille Saint-Saëns' operatic masterpiece. This timeless story, brought to life through the libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire, explores the complex dynamics of power, betrayal, and redemption. Starring the incomparable Plácido Domingo as Samson and Shirley Verrett as Dalila, this production captures the essence of French opera with its emotional depth and stunning musicality. Under the baton of conductor Julius Rudel and directed by Nicolas Joel, this performance is a hallmark of operatic excellence.
Interesting Facts
- Stellar Cast: Plácido Domingo and Shirley Verrett, two of opera's most celebrated figures, deliver unforgettable performances as Samson and Dalila.
- Historic Production: This 1981 production is noted for its grandeur and meticulous attention to musical and dramatic details, making it a standout performance in the history of the San Francisco Opera.
- Directorial Vision: Nicolas Joel's direction and Kirk Browning's video direction capture the opera's epic scale and personal tragedies with cinematic flair.
- Musical Highlights: Saint-Saëns' score, from the haunting "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" to the dramatic Bacchanale, showcases the composer's skill in crafting music that serves both the story's grandeur and its intimate moments.
Key Credits
- Librettist: Ferdinand Lemaire
- Main Cast: Plácido Domingo, Shirley Verrett, Wolfgang Brendel
- Orchestra & Chorus: San Francisco Opera
- Conductor: Julius Rudel
- Production Design: Directed by Nicolas Joel
Hashtags
#SamsonEtDalila #SaintSaens #PlacidoDomingo #ShirleyVerrett #SanFranciscoOpera #FrenchOpera #OperaDVD #ClassicalMusicDVD #OperaLovers #HistoricOperaProduction