Samson and Delilah

A square in Gaza at night In a square outside the temple of Dagon, a group of Hebrews beg Jehovah for relief from their bondage to the Philistines in a melancholy chorus ("Dieu d'Israël – God of Israel"), which leads into a fugue ("Nous avons vu nos cités renversées – We have seen our cities overturned"). Samson tries to revive the Israelites' morale and faith in God ("Arrêtez, ô mes frères – Stop, O my brothers") in a rousing aria set against the chorus's continuous prayer. Abimelech, the Philistine governor, appears and taunts the Israelites, saying that they are helpless because their god has abandoned them. He further states that his god, Dagon, is far superior ("Ce Dieu que votre voix implore – This God that your voice implores"). The Hebrews cower in fear before Abimelech until Samson incites them into defiant action. Enraged, Abimelech attacks an unarmed Samson with his sword. Samson manages to wrest the sword from Abimelech and kills him. Afraid of what might now happen, the Hebrews flee, abandoning Samson. The High Priest of Dagon comes from the Philistine temple and curses the Hebrews and Samson's prodigious strength. A messenger arrives and informs the High Priest that the Hebrews are destroying the harvest. He responds with a further curse that alludes to his plot to utilize Dalila's beauty to outwit Samson's strength ("Qu'enfin une compagne infâme trahisse son amour! – Finally an infamous companion betrays his love!"). As dawn breaks the Hebrews lift up a humble …

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