Saint-Saens - Samson et Dalila / Rudel, Domingo, Verrett, San Francisco Opera | 
| Directors: Nicolas Joel, Kirk Browning
Actors: Wolfgang Brendel, Shirley Verrett, Jon Vickers, Placido Domingo
Studio: Kultur
Category: DVD
List Price: CDN$ 29.99
Buy New: CDN$ 23.22
You Save: CDN$ 6.77 (23%)
New (14) Used (1) from CDN$ 23.22
Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 43068
Format: Classical, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6
ISBN: 0769700101
UPC: 032031001091
EAN: 9780769700106
ASIN: B00004ZEQF
Theatrical Release Date: 1981
Release Date: March 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new Item, factory Sealed. Buy direct from the U.S. and save! We only ship airmail to Canada (7-15 days).Caiman, les prix qu'on aime! Tous nos produits sont neufs. Envoi par avion des Etats-Unis
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| Editorial Reviews:
From Amazon.com
In an introductory talk for this production, conductor Julius Rudel revives the time-honored discussion of whether ISamson et Dalila/I should be treated as an oratorio (Saint-Saens'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.p 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-Pretre de Dagon) and Arnold Voketaitis (Abimelech). I--Joe McLellan/I
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| Customer Reviews:
 Sanson, Dalila... y nada mas October 26, 2003
Annio (Spain)
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. brEs 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
 Excellent cast production May 8, 2002
operamaryc (DIAMOND BAR, CA United States)
I've loved this opera for many years and purchased this on VHS and laser disc. I agree with the other reviewer as to the cast being superb but the chorus and conducting under par and perhaps because it was broadcast on PBS. Those were the days when you could see an opera on PBS! Domingo and Verrett are magnificent and since there aren't alot of productions to choose from, this is certainly worth the price to add to your collection.
BRAVA! - BRAVO! - BUT NO BRAVI! February 25, 2000
This production (one of the only - if not the only available on VHS at the present) would warrant five stars considering Domingo and Verrett's performances alone. pHowever, there are times in this performance when the SF Opera Chorus' performance is sloppy....I think mostly due to Maestro Rudel's EXTREMELY fast tempi (particularly in Act 1) which defy musical common sense and at times actually destroy the beauty of Saint Saens' gorgeous choral writing. pOne can only wonder - since this production was filmed for Great Performances in 1981 - if the maestro was under pressure from the PBS network to bring the length of the show in at under 120 minutes. There are also several short cuts in the chorus parts to make Act 3 shorter...which is disturbing if you know the show by heart.pThe tempi settle down in Act 2 allowing Shirley Verrett to shine. BRAVA! pDomingo is powerful throughout and is especially Brilliant in the beginning of Act 3 - the scene at the millstone. Add this video to your collection for this 8 minutes sequence alone! BRAVO! pI would love to see this released in a letterbox widescreen version so you could see more of the beautiful sets, costumes and the stunning SIZE of this show....rather than the constant camera framing of the principals. Still, the sound is good quality and picture is clear in this presentation.p1981 seems like a long time ago. While the performances by the principals is fantastic, other artistic considerations leave something to be desired from this production. San Fransisco Opera is such a fantastic opera house today with such a fine chorus that I can't help but feel that a new production of one of my favorite operas -available on VHS/DVD - is overdue.
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