from Act II of the French opera
Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns
Libretto: Ferdinand Lemaire
Role: Dalila, Philistine priestess of Dagon
Voice Part: mezzo-soprano Fach: dramatic mezzo
Setting: the valley of Soreck, ancient Palestine
Synopsis: Dalila knows that Samson is entranced with her and will come to her instead of leading the revolution against the Philistines. She sings seductively of the powers of love to ensnare Samson. She says that all of his strength is hopeless to withstand love's onslaught.