The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-24

Officers of the Wednesday Club ex-
press satisfaction at the results OF
the first days sale of boxes and Iogcs
for the May Festival. Box B was tho
first to go, and was bought by repre-.
sensation Of John p. Branch for $5s5O
The second most desirable box. Just
across the stage from Box Is. went to
George w. Stevens for s5s. The two
loges went to p. Fl. Mayo and the
Misses Stewart, of Brook Hill. Two
more boxes are to be sold
The following sketch OF the Saint
Saens opera. Samson and Deillah," to
be presented at the May Festival, is
translated freely from Les Annales du
Theatre ct de In Musique. by Noel and
Stoulng, 1892:
"The prelude is singular. There is n
daring phrase which Is developed. and
mingled with this phrase is chorus
of Hebrews, sung behind the curtain.
The lamenting captives ask deliver
ance OF God. The fugal form of the
number, which continues until the rise
of the curtain, indicates at once the
severe and classic nature of the work.
Samson arouses the courage Of his CO.
mates. and prepares the revolt which
the insolence OF Abimelech hastcns to
fury. Samson kills the satrap of GAIA.
and the Israelites exeunt at the right
of the stage. The high priest of Da-
gon dcscends. attended. from the tenn
pie, and curses Samson. The return
of the triumphant Hebrews Is one of
the most ingenious numbers of the
opera. There Is n chorus of basses, to
which liturgic color and rhythm give
astonishing breadth, and they empha-
size more strongly the fresh chorus OF
the women of Philistia, Now springs
generous hand The charming phrase
will be found again in the temple
scene. the last tableaux. as will the
melodic design of the great duet OF the
second act. but Ironically. In the or
chestra, while Delilah insults the
blinded hero. The dance OF the priest
esses of Dagon. which follows the
chorus. Is of delightful inspiration, and
it prepares effectively the grandeur
of the drama that follows. Delilah
looks earnestly at Samson and sings
to him. and Samson listens. not heed
ing the old man near him who says
The powers of hell have created this
woman. fair to the eye, to disturb thy
| repose.'
"The second act Is in the valley of
Sorek. Delilah's house is at the left
1t is surrounded with Eastern and
/ luxuriant plants. Night is coming on.
Delilah sings passionate appeal to
| Love, invoking his aid. Then comes
the duet with the high priest, who. de-
| ceived by the feigned love of Dclilah,
| begs OF her to deliver Samson to him:
| Delilah reveals her real hatred in a
| dramatic burst. The duet of Samson
| and the temptress, is. as one knows.
| the chief number of the work. 1t Is
| impossible to paint better the hesita-
| tions of Samson, as he stands between
| love and religious faith. The great
| phrase of Delilah is a superb express
| sion of passion. The orchestral storm
| hastens the action on the stage, and
| when the elemented fury is at It's
! height, Delilah enters her dwelling.
| Samson follows her; and the curtain
falls on the appearance of the Philis-
| tines to master their foe.
! "The first tableau of the third act
! is a lament of remarkable intensity.
| Samson mourns his sin. and chorus
| of Hebrews behind the scenes reproach
him and despair. The style is here
| rather that of the oratorio than tho
opera. An exquisite chorus follows,
| Dawn now on the hilltops,' which
/ IF