Guide
Key Word Search
Multi-Field Search
Browse
Met Opera on Demand
Sirius and XM
Repertory Report
Performers Report
Contacts
Met Opera Website
Samson et Dalila
Metropolitan Opera House, Thu, March 19, 1925
Samson et Dalila (54)
Camille Saint-Sa?ns | Ferdinand Lemaire
- Samson
- Giovanni Martinelli
- Dalila
- Karin Branzell
- High Priest
- Giuseppe Danise
- Abim?lech
- Louis D'Angelo
- Old Hebrew
- Jos? Mardones
- Philistine
- Max Bloch
- Philistine
- Vincenzo Reschiglian
- Messenger
- Giordano Paltrinieri
- Dance
- Lilyan Ogden
- Conductor
- Louis Hasselmans
Review 1:
Review of W. J. Henderson in the Sun
In the evening, Saint-Saens's "Samson et Dalila" was given with Mme. Karin Branzell and Mr. Martinelli in the respective title roles. Mme. Branzell appeared as the temptress of ancient Palestine on one other occasion last season. It is a role not altogether congenial for her talents, although her performance in many respects is admirable. Her seductive art is neither wily nor subtle and there is little of the sensual about it. In fact, in the garden scene her solicitous attitude placed Mr. Martinelli's Samson in the light of a small boy forced to come in the house out of the rain.
But Mme. Branzell sang her music with all her fine somber richness of tone, her opulent if restricted coloring and a style at once tender and impassioned. Her costumes were somewhat disappointingly modest, but she made a majestic and beautiful figure. The familiar garden scene, if lacking in sensual charm, was beautifully sung.
Mr. Martinelli was in good voice and ground corn dutifully, only to meet his usual tragic end under a huge pile of sofa cushion segments of the collapsed Temple of Dagon. He sang with fervor and conviction, although his costume is still something to wonder at.
Mr. Danise as the High Priest, Mr. d'Angelo as Abimelech, Mr. Mardones as the old Hebrew and Mr. Paltrinieri as the messenger who brought the exciting news to Gaza were other principals in the cast. Miss Lilyan Ogden and the ballet danced and Mr. Hasselmans conducted.
Search by season: 1924-25
Search by title: Samson et Dalila,
Met careers