from Act I of the French opera Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns

Libretto: Ferdinand Lemaire

Role: Abimélech, Philistine satrap of Gaza

Voice Part: bass

Setting: the public square of Gaza, ancient Palestine

Synopsis: Abimélech enters to find Samson enticing the Hebrew slaves to regain faith in their God and themselves. Abimélech denounces the Israelites' God as a fraud and proclaims the superiority of the Philistine god, Dagon.

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.

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.

from Act I 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 public square of Gaza, ancient Palestine

Synopsis: In an attempt to seduce Samson away from his leadership of the Israelite uprising, Dalila and a group of girls dance for him and Dalila describes how spring is blossoming all around her. Yet, in her heart, she feels like it is still winter.

from Act I of the French opera Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns

Libretto: Ferdinand Lemaire

Role: High Priest of Dagon

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: the public square of Gaza, ancient Palestine

Synopsis: The Israelites have risen up to break from their Philistine-imposed slavery. When told of the rebellion, the High Priest of Dagon curses the Israelites, their god, and especially their leader, Samson.

from Act I of the French opera Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns

Libretto: Ferdinand Lemaire

Role: Samson, the leader of the Israelites

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: dramatic tenor/heldentenor

Setting: the public square of Gaza, ancient Palestine

Synopsis: The enslaved Hebrews are made to work by their masters, the Philistines. Samson is the only Israelite that still has faith that the Lord will come through for them and deliver them from slavery. He attempts to revive their morale and their faith, telling them that God will not let the Israelites down as long as they have faith in him.

from Act I of the French opera Samson et Dalila by Camille Saint-Saëns

Libretto: Ferdinand Lemaire

Role: Samson, the leader of the Israelites

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: dramatic tenor/heldentenor

Setting: the public square of Gaza, ancient Palestine

Synopsis: After the satrap of Gaza, Abimélech, denounces the god of the enslaved Israelites, Samson encourages the slaves to rise up against their Philistine masters and trust in the Lord's power to set them free.