program notes by composition > D > Danse Bacchanale from “Samson et Dalila”
Danse Bacchanale from “Samson et Dalila”
Camille Saint-Saëns/arr. by Leigh Steiger
Danse Bacchanale from "Samson et Dalila" is extracted from the third act of Samson et Dalila , a nine- teenth-century French opera that is still performed today. The Israelite leader and hero Samson has been betrayed by the seductive Philistine beauty Delilah, and is chained, blinded, to the pillars of the temple of Dagon as the Philistines celebrate their victory over his people. Danse , fast-paced, exotic, and with oriental influences, is the musical accompaniment to the wild revelry that takes place just before Samson, calling upon the Lord for one last burst of strength, brings down the mighty pillars and tumbles the temple roof, destroying his enemies and himself.
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) was a major French composer also renowned as a virtuoso on organ and piano.
Last updated on January 1, 2013 by Palatine Concert Band