Samson et Dalila

Despite the initial resistance to staging an opera with a religious background in France, French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’s extraordinary creation based on the biblical story of Samson and Delilah would become one of his most popular works. In this return to the Metropolitan Opera of Darko Tresnjak’s lavish production, the leading roles are sung by mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina and tenor Clay Hilley. At the centre of the narrative is a man of superhuman strength, betrayed when passion leads Samson to lower his guard and reveal to Delilah the source of his power. Photo © Ken Howard – Met Opera