A grand opera of biblical proportions
TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Opera brings Samson and Delilah, a grand opera of biblical proportions, to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, May 6 and 8. Based on the Old Testament story, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Samson and Delilah features some of the most beautiful mezzo-soprano music ever composed.
Samson seeks to free his Hebrew kinsmen from the bondage of their Philistine oppressors, but the seductive Delilah has other plans. Her feminine charms distract him from his mission, but when he chooses his God and his people, the scorned Delilah resolves to destroy Samson and his legendary strength.
Samson and Delilah is true grand opera on a grand scale. In addition to the soaring mezzo-soprano music, the opera offers majestic choral music and the seductive bacchanal. Dana Beth Miller, who last appeared as Amneris in Aïda, portrays Delilah alongside Frank Porretta as Samson. Legendary bass Samuel Ramey returns to Tulsa Opera as the Old Hebrew.
For almost three decades, Samuel Ramey has reigned as one of the music world’s foremost interpreters of bass and bass-baritone operatic and concert repertoire. With astounding versatility, he commands an impressive breadth of repertoire encompassing virtually every musical style.
In addition to being heralded as one of the most extraordinary singers of the past three decades, Ramey continues to perform at the world’s most important opera houses and concert stages.
Frank Porretta has gained international recognition as an important lirico spinto tenor with appearances in leading opera houses in the US, Europe and Australia. Porretta’s repertoire includes some of the most demanding roles in the tenor literature. He has won special acclaim as Calaf in Turandot, which was the role of his Metropolitan Opera debut, as well as in the title role of Verdi’s Otello. One of the most recent additions to his repertoire is Samson in Samson and Delilah in Pittsburgh.
Praised by both the New York Times for “wielding a rich, substantial voice, along with a winning stage presence,” and the Boston Globe for having a “voice full of alluringly dark colorings,” Dana Beth Miller is rapidly establishing herself as one of the most promising and exciting dramatic mezzo-sopranos on the stage today.
Baritone Peter Lindskoog, a Tulsa Opera favorite, returns as the High Priest of Dagon. Crystal Manich returns as stage director following her triumphant debut with this season’s Romeo and Juliet. Kostis Protopapas conducts the Tulsa Opera Orchestra. Sets are from Pittsburgh Opera. To bring this production to life, Tulsa Opera joins forces with the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and Tulsa Ballet.
Samson and Delilah is sung in French with projected English translations.
The Tulsa Opera production of Samson and Delilah offers two performances, May 6 at 7:30 p.m., and May 8 at 2:30 p.m., in the Chapman Music Hall at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $31 to $121, and are available at online at www.tulsaopera.com or www.tulsapac.com, by phone at (918) 587-4811, or in person at 1610 S. Boulder, in Tulsa.
The Gayly - 5/1/2016 @ 10:40 a.m. CDT