Danse Bacchanale

InstrumentationBrass Ensemble. (picc. trumpet, 2 trumpets, flugel horn, 4 horns, 3 trombones, baritone, tuba, percussion, harp [opt.])

The highlights of Saint-Saëns oeuvre are the Organ Symphony (1866) and the opera Samson et Dalila (1877). With its familiar story and many stretches of vigorous and appealing music Samson et Dalila has never been long away from the stages of principal opera-houses.The 'bacchanal' is danced in the third act of the opera in the Temple of Dagon. The High Priest and Dalila sing in praise of Dagon and finally demand Samson to join their celebration.