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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: In an attempt to close the trap which she has set for Samson, Dalila tells Samson seductively that she will surrender herself entirely to him if he wants her. She begs him to respond to her caresses, hoping that he will finally forget about the Israelite rebellion he is leading against the Philistines. If Samson concentrates completely on her, the High Priest of Dagon may be able to capture him.
Range: Tessitura:
A#/Bb3 - G5D#/Eb4 - D#/Eb5
Translations/Aria Texts:
Translation into English by Robert Glaubitz (added 1999-04-09)
Mon coeur s'ouvre à la voix, Dalila's aria from Samson et Dalila

Mon coeur s'ouvre à la voix,		My heart opens to your voice,
comme s'ouvrent les fleurs		like the flowers open
Aux baiser de l'aurore!			To the kisses of the dawn!
Mais, ô mon bienaimé,			But, o my beloved,
pour mieux sécher mes pleurs,		To dry my tears the best,
Que ta voix parle encore!		Let your voice speak again!
Dis-moi qu'à Dalila 			Tell me that to Dalila
tu reviens pour jamais,			You will return forever,
Redis à ma tendresse			Repeat to my tenderness
Les serments d'autrefois,		The oaths of other times,
ces serments que j'aimais!		the oaths that I loved!
Ah! réponds à ma tendresse!		Ah! respond to my tenderness!
Verse-moi, verse-moi l'ivresse!		Pour out to me the drunkeness!

Ainsi qu'on voit des blés		Like one sees the wheat
les épis onduler			the blades undulate
Sous la brise légère,			Under the light breeze,
Ainsi frémit mon coeur,			So trembles my hear,
prêt à se consoler,			ready to be consoled,
A ta voix qui m'est chère!		by your voice which is dear to me!
La flèche est moins rapide		The arrow is less quick
à porter le trépas,			to carry death,
Que ne l'est ton amante			Than is your love
à voler dans tes bras!			to fly into my arms!
Ah! réponds à ma tendresse!		Ah! resond to my tenderness!
Verse-moi, verse-moi l'ivresse!		Pour out to me the drunkeness!

Translation by Robert Glaubitz (ariaman@aria-database.com)
Sheet Music/Scores:
none
Recordings:
none
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