SAMSON ET DELILA

The Metropolitan Opera
26 December 1936

Maison, Wettergren, Pinza, List / Maurice Abravanel

This good-sounding recording of the Met revival on December 29, 1936 preserves some remarkably vital singing: Wettergren´s attractive Dalila, Maison´s fiery Samson and Ezio Pinza´s imposing High Priest, the latter role sung with a splendour of voice never equaled since. With broadcast commentary and curtain calls, the occasion is brought to vivid life for those who cherish this era. As a bonus, Guild adds the first release of the complete Act II, Scene 3 of Samson et Dalila with Marie Duchene and Cesare Vezzani, a 78 rpm recording reported incomplete in record encyclopedias, and the Act III Mill Scene, complete, with Vezzani, one of the great heroic tenors of the 1925-1935 period. This release offers an article on the performance and singers. In all, another remarkable production from Guild.