A towering biblical epic, Saint-Saëns’s operatic take on the story of Samson and Delilah has many of the hallmarks of grand opera—show-stopping vocal displays, thrilling choruses, and an engrossing plot set against a sweeping, pseudo-historical backdrop. It’s fitting, then, that Samson et Dalila has been chosen to celebrate the opening of the Met’s season four times in the company’s history, including when Darko Tresnjak’s bold new production premiered on the first night of the 2018–19 season. A few weeks later, the opera was shown as part of the Met’s series of live cinema transmissions, featuring an exceptional cast. Tenor Roberto Alagna was the heroic Samson, who ultimately falls victim to the seductive power of Dalila—the captivating mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča. Bass-baritone Laurent Naouri sang the sinister High Priest of Dagon, with conductor Sir Mark Elder on the podium.

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Cast:

Bradley

Garvin

Mark

Schowalter

Susan

Graham

Mark

Elder

MET

Orchestra

Roberto

Alagna

Elina

Garanca

Laurent

Naouri

Elchin

Azizov

Dmitry

Belosselskiy

Tony

Stevenson

Bradley

Garvin

Mark

Schowalter

Susan

Graham

Mark

Elder

MET

Orchestra

Roberto

Alagna

Elina

Garanca

Laurent

Naouri

Elchin

Azizov

Dmitry

Belosselskiy