Performance: Saturday 24th October @ 7.30pm

‘Samson et Dalila’ is Camille Saint-Saëns’ biblical opera in three acts, based on the story of Samson from the Old Testament. The Israelites are suffering under Philistine oppression, and Samson emerges as their divinely appointed leader, inspiring them to resist their enemies. The Philistine priestess Dalila seeks to discover the secret of Samson’s extraordinary strength and, through love and deception, persuades him to reveal that it lies in his uncut hair.

After Samson is betrayed, captured, and blinded, the Philistines celebrate their apparent victory. In the opera’s dramatic conclusion, Samson calls upon God for one final act of strength and brings down the temple of Dagon, destroying both himself and his oppressors.

Exeter Opera Group’s interpretation refers solely to the biblical narrative and its themes of faith, betrayal, redemption, and divine justice, rather than to any later historical, political, or cultural interpretations of the story.