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	Saint-Saens' Samson et Dalila - San Francisco Opera Plácido Domingo, Shirley Verrett San Francisco Opera Association, 1997 average customer review:based on 6 reviews view larger image
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The story of Samson and Delilah excites skepticism in many modern minds; it is the story of a superhero who loses his power because of a haircut, suffers captivity, is blinded and humiliated, and gets his strength back just long enough for a spectacular suicide that destroys his enemies. The San Francisco visuals, exaggerating improbabilities, do not make it easy to suspend disbelief. But the singers go right to the psychological and emotional heart of this tale of seduction, betrayal, repentance, and expiation. Shirley Verrett and Placido Domingo were their generation's most celebrated exponents of the title roles. They were at their peak in 1981 when this performance took place, and they generate enormous emotional power. They are well-supported by an excellent cast, notably Wolfgang Brendel (Le Grand-Prêtre de Dagon) and Arnold Voketaitis (Abimelech). --Joe McLellan

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Opera As It Should Be

I had seen this production years ago on PBS and its every bit as fantastic as I remember it. Placido Domingo was still at his vocal best here, which was not the case with his farewell performance in Samson et Dalila with the Metropolitan Opera. Some people see opera purely in terms of the singers. I see opera as a total package, singers, costumes and sets. I feel cheated when I pay good money and get stylized sets..or no sets at all. This production has all of the aforementioned characteristics. I only wished the film crew had pulled back a little further during many of the scenes so one could really enjoy the full effect of the production. If you go for opulent sets and costumes, check out the Metropolitan Opera production of Turandot with Domingo and Marton. I never really cared for that opera until I saw the Met's production and now I love it.

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Excellent cast & production

I've loved this opera for many years and purchased this on VHS and laser disc. I agree with the other reviewer as to the cast being superb but the chorus and conducting under par and perhaps because it was broadcast on PBS. Those were the days when you could see an opera on PBS! Domingo and Verrett are magnificent and since there aren't alot of productions to choose from, this is certainly worth the price to add to your collection.


Sanson, Dalila... y nada mas

Es una lastima que teniendo a PLACIDO DOMINGO, sin duda el maximo interprete del papel de Samsom, que aqui vuelve a ofrecer una interpretacion sobresaliente del personaje, con una leccion de canto y actuacion magistral, y a SHIRLEY VERRET, una Dalila seductora de voz bella y sugerente, que cuaja tambien una gran actuacion, se hayan descuidado todos los demas detalles. Desde unos secundarios que estan entre la suficiencia discreta y la deficiencia hasta un coro flojo, pasando por una produccion anticuada, fea y aburrida, y por una poco inspirada direccion musical de JULIUS RUDEL.
Es una lastima que lo que pudo ser una noche magica se quede en eso: en un gran Sanson y una gran Dalila, pero falta todo lo demas

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Placido Domingo makes good on this average opera

This is not one of my favorites but Domingo makes this watchable. The last scene, as always, goes on a bit too long.


reviews: page 1, 2

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