Saint-Saёns’

Samson et Dalila
March 2010
These study materials are produced for use with the
smart
SHARING MASTERWORKS OF ART

University Opera Association’s production of Samson et Dalila. AN EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH OF BOB JONES UNIVERSITY

Saint-Saëns’
Enduring Opera
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921) was a versatile French composer of
over 150 works as well as a brilliant pianist and organist, a conductor
and a writer of poetry, drama and philosophy. Samson et Dalila was the
second of twelve operas he wrote. He originally planned to compose an
oratorio based on the biblical account of Samson and Delilah in chapter
16 of the Old Testament book of Judges and title it Dalila. He admired
the choral works of Mendelssohn and Handel and intended to use them
as English models to establish a new, vibrant choral compositional Saint-Saëns’ original intention to compose an oratorio on the subject of
tradition in France. Samson and Delilah was not entirely lost on the opera. The music for
the chorus of Israelites in Act I has obvious affinities with the choral
About the conception of the work, Saint-Saëns wrote, “The idea for works of Handel and Mendelssohn, and the scene is recognized as
Samson came to me at a very early date, when symphony concerts were having one of the greatest prisoners’ choruses in all of opera. In Act II,
still being given with orchestra and chorus … when sacred and secular however, the opera becomes a personal drama featuring Samson and
oratorios were experiencing a dynamic revival. Delilah. The Hebrew chorus does not appear onstage again, but it does
sing offstage, chiding Samson in the scene in which he grinds at the
After Saint-Saëns had worked on Samson for a time, however, he received mill.
little encouragement from his friends to complete the oratorio. He also
learned that the French public was skeptical about the whole idea of Music critic Hugh Macdonald suggests that Saint-Saëns’ gifts as a
staging biblical texts. Ferdinand Lemaire, a Creole amateur poet from choral composer are even more apparent in the music he composed
Martinique and the husband of Saint-Saëns’ cousin, persuaded the for the Philistine chorus in the opera’s final scene than in Scene 1. As
composer to create an opera rather than an oratorio from the subject these barbarians sing a hymn to Dagon, “the music becomes more
matter. With Lemaire serving as his librettist, Saint-Saëns began and more vacuous and frivolous, like the worst kind of opera comique,
the compositional process with Act II. But when he had a group of and the tinkling orchestration exactly matches the hollow glitter of
musicians sing through the score on more than one occasion, he was their empire.” Just as the Philistines “reach a frenzy of vulgar self-
discouraged by their lack of enthusiasm for his work. congratulation,” Samson pulls down the pillars of their Temple. The
resulting “grand spectacular display of death and destruction” is one of
It was not until 1874 that Saint-Saëns resumed the work he had the most dramatic and memorable moments in all of opera literature.
begun on Samson twelve years earlier. On December 2, 1877, the
opera premiered, sung in German at Weimar, as a result of Franz Saint-Saëns continued to compose operas until 1911, when he completed
Liszt’s championship of the French composer. It was another 13 years, his twelfth opera, Dejanire, a lyric tragedy in four acts that depicts the
however, before Samson took the stage in France and 15 years before tempestuous love life of the mythological character Hercules. While the
it appeared at the Paris Opera. In the 25 years that had passed since composer’s symphonic works are still heard in concert halls around the
Saint-Saëns had first conceived of the work, he had come to be regarded world today, among Saint-Saens’ operas it is only Samson et Dalila that
as France’s foremost composer. The success Samson et Dalila enjoyed on has endured in the opera house. Despite its late appearance in France
that occasion has endured through the centuries. It is the only opera during the composer’s own lifetime, it has now been performed 1000
by the great French composer that has remained a staple of operatic times at the Paris Opera, and it remains a favorite opera in many houses
repertory well into the 21st century. around the world. !
The Plot At dawn Samson returns with the victorious Hebrews, who raise Delilah lulls Samson to sleep, cuts off his hair and then calls in
a hymn of praise to God. Delilah, a Philistine courtesan, and the Philistine soldiers who have been hiding outside her dwelling. They
priestesses of Dagon are among those who greet the triumphant easily overpower Samson and put out his eyes. Once Samson has
Samson and sing of the pleasures of spring. Delilah begins to exercise entered Delilah’s dwelling, the only word he speaks is “Betrayed!”
her charms upon Samson, whom she wishes to coax away from the
Hebrew uprising. Unable to resist her flirtations, he agrees to meet Act 3, Scene 1, A Prison in Gaza
her at her dwelling that very night and then prays that God will The blind Samson is imprisoned at a mill, where he labors to turn
protect him in her presence. The Old Hebrew warns him to turn the great mill stone, a task more suited to a beast of burden than to
aside in fear from this alien woman. the former leader of the captive Hebrews. He is filled with remorse at
having betrayed his own people, who now suffer because of his sin.
Their angry reproaches from afar fill him with self-loathing.
He prays for them and offers God his life for theirs. The Philistines
drag Samson away from the mill to display him as a prize captive in
their triumphal procession.

Act 3, Scene 2, The Temple of Dagon

At dawn the Philistines prepare to celebrate their victory over the All photos taken from the Bob Jones University Opera Association’s
Isarelites. A child leads the blind Samson into the Temple, where he 1993 production of Samson et Dalila.
Act 1, Gaza (Palestine), 1150 B.C. prays that Jehovah will restore to him his former strength. In their
A chorus of captive Israelites in Palestine lament their sufferings and drunken revelry the High Priest and Delilah along with a crowd of
pray for God’s deliverance. One of the most prominent themes of Philistines humiliate and mock Samson as they praise their chief Dagon. As Samson again calls on God for vengeance, he grasps the
their song is “We have seen our cities overthrown and the Gentiles god Dagon for having delivered the enemy into their hands. Delilah two pillars that support the Temple. At first the pillars bend. Then
profaning Thine altar.” boasts, “Love served my plan. To satisfy my vengeance, I wrested your Samson pushes them over, causing the Temple to fall and crush both
Samson comes to the fore to urge the Hebrews to take courage and trust secret from you.” The Philistines carry out their ritual sacrifices to his enemies and himself. !
the God of their fathers to bring them out of bondage. He rebukes them
for their lack of faith.

Act 2, Delilah’s Dwelling in the Valley of Sorek

Sumptuously attired outside her retreat, Delilah anticipates Samson’s
arrival and prepares to set a trap for him, musing, “This is the hour
of vengeance which must satisfy our gods!” The High Priest of the
Philistines enters and promises her great reward if she can deliver
Samson over to his enemies. Delilah reveals that she and Samson have
already had an illicit affair, and she has tried and failed three times
to uncover the secret of the source of Samson’s strength. She vows
that for the cause of her people, not for gold, she will take vengeance
upon the proud Hebrew leader, whom she abhors. She exults in her
own power to entice Samson and points out that his physical might is
inadequate to resist her womanly powers.
Samson arrives in a state of agitation because he has succumbed to
Delilah’s invitation rather than remaining with the rebel Hebrews.
He tells Delilah that as a servant of God, he can no longer submit to
But the Philistine commander Abimelech appears and mocks the her will but must deliver his brethren out of captivity. She replies that
Hebrews’ God as weak and helpless, inferior to the Philistine god the god of love is far greater than Samson’s God. When she accuses
Dagon. Samson again takes the lead in affirming God’s power as Israel’s Samson of wounding her by his unfaithfulness, he impetuously vows
strong hope for victory over her enemies. Their spirits thus lifted, to return to her and flies into her arms.
Samson’s compatriots respond with religious fervor and a spirit of
defiance. Samson urges them to rise up and break their chains. When Once Samson has come under Delilah’s complete control, she feigns
Abimelech continues to taunt the captives and attacks Samson with a doubts about his love for her as a means of manipulating him into
sword, Samson slays him and hastily leads the Hebrews away to forge revealing the source of his legendary strength. Although Samson
their own freedom. hears the rolling thunder, as if God Himself were warning him to flee,
he is unable to resist Delilah’s bidding. He reveals to Delilah that his
Immediately the High Priest of Dagon comes upon the scene, where strength resides in his long hair.
a messenger reports to him that the Israelites, led by Samson, have
revolted against the Philistines. The priest curses Samson’s strength
and flees with Abimelech’s corpse. An Old Hebrew praises Samson.
 JM: How have these productions influenced your development of the
Opera Association’s production of Samson?
DL: Each production emphasizes different aspects of character,
musical interpretation and technical choices. Individual decisions by
other directors inform my thinking as a stage director. In some cases,
directorial choices in other productions influence me to make opposite
choices. For example, when Abimelech is killed, the Philistines enter
and remove his body. If the removal is timed during a particular
section of music, as it often is in other productions, the audience feels
great sympathy because of the emotional mood of the music behind

An Interview
the action. In my opinion, Abimelech is not a sympathetic character;
therefore, I have chosen to have his body removed during the frenzied
music immediately prior to the other section.

with the Producer JM: What is the proportion of musical tasks associated with the
production to tasks that are performed by non-musicians?
DL: From my perspective, it’s really an equal share of the production
load. While the non-musical aspects of the opera are in process, the
An opera producer plays an enormous behind-the-scenes role in any
musical staff members are working hard behind the scenes preparing
production. Dr. Darren Lawson, the producer for University Opera
soloists, choruses and instrumentalists. Opera truly is a collaborative
Association, began his work on Samson et Dalila years ago when he
art form that brings together artists from various fields.
was planning the long-range schedule of operas for the University.
As a producer, Dr. Lawson selects the works to be performed at BJU; JM: When and how did you become an opera fan?
oversees all the financial business associated with the production; DL: I was first introduced to opera as a student at Bob Jones University.
auditions and hires the singers; assigns university faculty, staff As a freshman my first production was Tosca in 1983. During my
members and students to various roles in the production; approves the sophomore year, I auditioned and made the chorus for Gounod’s Faust.
development of the production at various stages; and keeps the whole Participating in that production and watching the behind-the-scenes
endeavor on schedule and on budget. For Samson, Dr. Lawson also aspects of the art form made me a life-long fan of opera.
serves as the stage director.
JM: As a producer and an educator, how do you go about encouraging
In a recent interview with Janie McCauley, Dr. Lawson gives a glimpse college students to develop an interest in opera and classical music?
at what goes on behind the scenes at a BJU opera
DL: I would encourage students to get involved as a singer or in a walk-
JM: How many years ago did you begin work on the production of on role in an opera production. As you get to know the music more
Samson et Dalila? during the rehearsal process, you’ll find that your appreciation for the
DL: I began my work on Samson et Dalila two years ago. Early in the art form will expand. You’ll also have a much deeper understanding
process, I did extensive research on the biblical text on which the opera of the massive amount of work that goes into making a successful
is based as well as historical research for the time period (1150 B.C.). I production. You’ll never attend another performance without more fully
spent time at the Dorot Jewish Division of the New York Public Library appreciating the work behind it.
to examine materials about the Hebrews and Philistines of the time JM: What do you enjoy most about your job as opera producer?
period. My research there was invaluable in influencing design choices
for sets and costumes, which have been done for this production by DL: My favorite part of being opera producer is working with the
Jeffrey Stegall. amazingly talented and creative staff at Rodeheaver Auditorium.
The Lord has assembled here a wonderful group of artisans who are
JM: How long does it usually take to prepare an opera for production? committed to mounting each production in a way that honors our Lord
DL: If the opera has new set and costume designs, it’s generally two and Savior, Jesus Christ.
years in advance that the director and designers begin working on it. DL: Do you have any favorite anecdotes from your years of working
For a production with old designs, the director usually starts at least with students on opera productions?
one year in advance.
DL: I remember a huge set piece that fell and nearly hit a group on
As far as planning, my job as producer is to plan the calendar years in stage. I also recall the fun of having Dr. Isaak of the science faculty do a
advance. As of this interview, I have the opera productions planned walk-on role in Andrea Chenier. It was a genuine marriage of science and
through 2024. As we get two years away from a particular production, the arts!
I begin making directing and design assignments. As we approach one
year from an opera, the entire creative staff kicks into high gear to get In each production the cast becomes like a family. I cherish the
ready for the production. friendships that I’ve forged with students during long rehearsals
on stage. !
JM: Where have you seen Samson produced or performed in concert?
DL: I have seen live productions at the Metropolitan Opera, San
Francisco Opera, San Diego Opera and Nashville Opera. I also These materials are original and ©2010, Bob Jones University, Dr. Janie Caves McCauley,
benchmarked recorded DVDs from the Royal Opera House in London's writer. All rights reserved. No part of this study guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any
Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera. I was form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
also in attendance at BJU’s production in 1993. prior written permission of the publisher. FA 048 (7242) 2/10