Samson et Dalila Tickets

Samson et Dalila in London

Richard Jones’ acclaimed staging of Samson et Dalila returns to the Royal Opera House, in the heart of Covent Garden. This dramatic operatic retelling of the biblical tale, in which Samson’s remarkable strength is tested by love, faith and loyalty, stars Aigul Akhmetshina and SeokJong Baek as the troubled lovers. You won't want to miss it - secure your tickets today

What is the opera Samson et Dalila about?

Set against the backdrop of the Israelite struggle against Philistine oppression, the opera unfolds Samson’s tragic arc from heroic leader to a man undone by passion. Samson, a leader of the Hebrews with superhuman strength, falls in love with Dalila, a Philistine woman who leads him into a web of seduction and betrayal. Dalila works with the Philistine High Priest to discover the secret of Samson’s strength; when it is revealed that his power lies in his hair, he is captured and blinded. In the opera’s climax, Samson regains his strength through prayer and brings down the temple of Dagon upon himself and his enemies. 

Saint‑Saëns’s score blends operatic drama with choral writing that reflects the work’s oratorio origins, featuring lyrical solos, expressive ensembles and the celebrated Bacchanale in Act III.

The History of Samson et Dalila 

Samson et Dalila, based on the biblical story of Samson and Delilah from the Book of Judges, was composed by Camille Saint‑Saëns in the late 1860s and first performed in 1877 in Weimar, where it was conducted by Franz Liszt. It remains the composer’s most performed opera, with its blend of dramatic narrative, choral writing and expressive arias, particularly “Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix”, a staple for mezzo‑sopranos worldwide.

While originally conceived with oratorio elements, Saint‑Saëns and librettist Ferdinand Lemaire expanded the work into a full dramatic opera, focusing on the psychological interplay between devotion, desire and betrayal.

This Royal Opera House production by Richard Jones blends contemporary theatrical insight with the opera’s powerful score and epic themes, making it a compelling experience for traditional opera audiences and newcomers alike.

The Creative Team of Samson et Dalila

Samson et Dalila at the Royal Opera House is directed by Richard Jones (Peter Grimes, The Queen of Spades). Alex Soddy (Elektra, Animal Farm) Conducts

Set design is by Hyemi Shin (The Cunning Little Vixen, I Puritani, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and costumes are designed by Nicky Gillibrand (Billy Budd, The Magic Flute, Hansel and Gretel). Lighting design is by Andreas Fuchs (Jenůfa, La Clemenza di Tito), and movement direction is by Lucy Burge (Peter Grimes, La traviata, The Cunning Little Vixen).
The opera is composed by Camille Saint‑Saëns (The Carnival of the Animals, Organ Symphony No. 3, Danse macabre) with a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire.

The Cast of Samson et Dalila

Casting varies by performance date. Principal cast includes:

• SeokJong Baek – Samson
• Aigul Akhmetshina – Dalila
• Łukasz Goliński – High Priest of Dagon
• William Thomas – Abimélech
• Ossian Huskinson – Old Hebrew

Book Tickets for Samson et Dalila at the Royal Opera House 

This vivid staging from one of the UK's top opera directors, Olivier winner Richard Jones, blends intense emotion, striking music and dramatic storytelling. From the seductive interplay between its leads to the overwhelming force of its choruses and orchestral writing, Saint‑Saëns opera stands as a cornerstone of the repertory. Book your tickets to Samson et Dalila at the Royal Opera House today.