Sansão e Dalila

Despite initial resistance to bringing an opera with religious undertones to French stages, the extraordinary creation by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns about the biblical story of Samson and Delilah would become one of his most popular works. In this return to the Metropolitan Opera of Darko Tresnjak's lavish production, the protagonists are mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina and tenor Clay Hilley. It centers on his narrative of superhuman strength, betrayed when passion leads Samson to lower his defenses and reveal to Delilah the source of his power. Photography © Ken Howard – Met Opera