Samson and Delilah, Op. 47: Danse Bacchanale (Samson et Dalila)

SAMSON AND DELILAH, originally conceived as an oratoria due to Saint-Saëns' admiration such works by Handel and Mendelssohn, was converted to an opera when the composer was convinced by a family member to abandon the less-used oratoria, designed to stage works with biblical themes, in favor of the more common and contemporary secular form.  While composition began in 1867, consistent rejection by the French music world of any biblical stories used as a libretto caused numerous delays and spurts of abandonment of the project by the Saint-Saëns.  And when the work was completed in 1876, the 1877 premiere in Weimar was only able to take place due to the support of Franz Liszt.  Further interest around the world, including France, finally started to grow in the 1890s, leaving SAMSON AND DELILAH Saint-Saëns most performed opera today.  The “Danse Bacchanale,” which takes place in Scene 2 of the third act, plays after Samson has been betrayed by Delilah and apprehended by his enemies, the Philistines.  The Philistines plan a sacrifice to their god Dagon, and the temple priests dance wildly to this savage “Bacchanale” as preparation.  This version has been newly engraved and edited by Clinton Nieweg and Nancy Bradburd.  Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2+EH.2+BCl.2+CBsn: 4.2+2Crt.3.1: Timp.Perc(3or4): Hp: Str (9-8-7-6-5).