Hungary Hotels Travel :: Saint-Saens - Samson et Dalila / Rudel, Domingo, Verrett, San Francisco Opera


Saint-Saens - Samson et Dalila / Rudel, Domingo, Verrett, San Francisco Opera

Saint-Saens - Samson et Dalila / Rudel, Domingo, Verrett, San Francisco Opera
List Price: $29.99
Hungary Hotels Travel Price: $26.99
Your Savings: $ 3.00 ( 10% )
Subject To Change Without Notice
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
Starring: Plácido Domingo, Shirley Verrett, Wolfgang Brendel, Kevin Langan, Arnold Woketaitis
Directed By: Kirk Browning
Average Customer Rating: Average rating of 3.5/5Average rating of 3.5/5Average rating of 3.5/5Average rating of 3.5/5Average rating of 3.5/5

Buy it now at Amazon.com!


Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9780769700106
Format: Classical
ISBN: 0769700101
Label: Kultur Video
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Kultur Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2000-11-28
Running Time: 117
Studio: Kultur Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1981

Related Items

Editorial Reviews:

In an introductory talk for this production, conductor Julius Rudel revives the time-honored discussion of whether Samson et Dalila should be treated as an oratorio (Saint-Saëns's original intention) or an opera (his final decision). The San Francisco production chooses a solidly operatic approach, leaning more toward the style of a Hollywood biblical epic than that of an oratorio. Operatic features include colorful (even downright exotic) costumes, brisk tempos, hyperactive choreography for the orgiastic bacchanale, generally brisk tempos, and a spectacular ending that brings down not only the curtain but the scenery.

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


Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: A Definitive Samson et Dalila
Comment: I have read with disbelief some of the negative reviews of this opera. I can tell you with honesty that this is one of my favorite videos. Domingo sings fabulously well, and Verrett sings, and looks, like a goddess. (Actually, Domingo looks pretty good, too.) And the baritone, Wolfgang Brendel, has a strong, ringing baritone that can't be beat! I found the chorus to be excellent, and the scenery and costumes wonderful, especially for a house of the size of the San Francisco Opera. Even the subtitles are easy to read. And, of course, the music is very beautiful. This is as close to perfection as you are ever going to find.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5
Summary: Opera DVD is not only to listen!
Comment: Well, I was very cuorious about this DVD but when i finally got it...what a disappointment!
The perfomance generally is very dull, the acting is boring and sometimes all lacks of director's work are obvious. They sing...rather good...but that's it. Better not see the video. When one watch the seduction scene it's rather hard to pick up how Dalila succeded to seduce Samson...kind of ridiculous. etc
More to this the sound direction of the opera is not really well-done - the voices are pulled straight very loud while the music is rather quite.

2 STARS only - better choose another video of this wonderful opera. For Verrett and Domingo fans only.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5
Summary: Placido Domingo makes good on this average opera
Comment: This is not one of my favorites but Domingo makes this watchable. The last scene, as always, goes on a bit too long.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Summary: Opera As It Should Be
Comment: 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.

Customer Rating: Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5Average rating of 3/5
Summary: Sanson, Dalila... y nada mas
Comment: 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


Buy it now at Amazon.com!



Hungary Trips Books

Hungary Trips DVD

Hungary Trips Softwares

Hungary Trips Magazines

Hungary Posters

Hungary Art Prints


Hungary Travel 2007 Calendars


2007 Monthly Calendars


Hungary Hotels Travel Special Resources
Hungary Arts
Hungary Entertainment
Hungary Government
Hungary Business
Hungary Culture
Hungary Education
Hungary Health
Hungary Map
Hungary Beach
Hungary Festivals
Hungary Hotels
Hungary Museums
Hungary Theme Parks
Hungary Transportation
Food and Recipes
Sports & Recreation
Travel & Tourism


Hungary Destinations
Budapest, Hungary
Heviz, Hungary
Sopron, Hungary
Eger, Hungary
Szeged, Hungary
Lake Balaton, Hungary


Hungary Hotels
Budapest Hotels
Heviz Hotels
Sopron Hotels
Szeged Hotels




Hungary Hotels Travel | About | Ads | Contact | Terms of Use | Hungary Resources | Hungary Hotels Travel Site Directory

Hungary Hotels Travel
Maintained by: Marketer Solutions | Link Building