"Samson and Delilah" at the Opera

(story to be published in tomorrow’s issue, March 28)

The story of lyrical opera “Samson and Delilah” started over 126 years ago, but its beginnings were not very promising. In 1874, following a fragmentary audition, Parisian Opera manager refuses to include this show in the repertory of the institution he led, composer Camille Saint-Saens being deemed as “an algebraic musician and awfully Wagnerian.” But in December 1877, Franz Liszt sets up the world premiere of Saint-Saens’ opera in Weimar. In France, the first performance takes place in the spring of 1980, in Rouen; the Parisian premiere finally comes during the same year, at Eden Theatre. One year later, the show arrives at Palais Garnier as well. On the stage of Bucharest Opera, “Samson and Delilah” was first performed on May 24, 1922, featuring Romulus Vulpescu (Samson), Lia Pop (Delilah) and Grigore Teodorescu (the priest), and was conducted by Ion Nona Oltescu. Tomorrow evening, starting 18.30 hours, at Opera Romana you may attend the show produced by Hero Lupescu. The Romanian version belongs to Constantin Carjan, while the distribution includes famous names of the Romanian lyric stage: Ecaterina ?utu-Popp (Delilah), Gabriel Nastase (Samson), Lucian Marinescu (the priest), Dan Dumitrescu, Mihnea Lamatic, Vicentiu ?aranu, Anatol Covali and Nicolae Bratu. The choreography is signed by Francisc Valkay, the well-known ballet dancers Antonel Oprescu, Madalina Slateanu-Bulgaru, Beatrice Enea and Rodica Fiastru performing under his coordination. The star of the show, mezzo-soprano Ecaterina ?utu-Pop, made her debut at Opera Romana in 1984, immediately after graduating from Iasi Conservatory. Her first part, Amneris from “Aida” by Verdi, was also her first success, being billed by the critics as one of the most valuable voices of the moment. The part of Delilah, which she will perform tomorrow evening, was also highly appraised during the tours made by Opera Romana abroad, in England, France, Holland, Germany, Spain and Japan. The tenor playing the part of Samson, Gabriel Nastase, approaches a vast repertory: “Tosca,” “Madame Butterfly”(G. Puccini), “Carmen”(G. Bizet)”, “Traviata,” “Aida,” “Nabucco,” (G. Verdi), “Norma” (V. Bellini), “Cavalleria Rusticana” (P. Mascagni).