One of the greatest French operas, Samson & Delilah, will return to Australian stages for the first time since the 1980s when Melbourne Opera opens its production at the Palais Theatre on 1 June.
Starring two of Australia’s most acclaimed international singers—Deborah Humble as the seductive Delilah and Rosario la Spina as the doomed Samson—the opera promises a powerful retelling of this biblical tale of betrayal and obsession.
Directed by Suzanne Chaundy, whose visionary staging of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg earned acclaim earlier this year, the production delves into the psychological depths of its central characters.
“I am setting the opera in a psychological and abstract space,” Chaundy says. “My vision is to focus on the characters of Samson and Delilah, examining the power of seduction, betrayal, obsession, and faith.”
Featuring iconic arias like Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix and grand choral and dance sequences, the opera showcases the talents of the Melbourne Opera chorus under conductor Raymond Lawrence. A story of clashing cultures and divine destiny, Samson & Delilah remains a gripping exploration of love and treachery.
Melbourne Opera, which operates without government funding, continues its tradition of staging ambitious works while nurturing emerging artists. This production marks another milestone in the company’s dedication to both classic and overlooked masterpieces.
