Customer Reviews

Saint-Saëns - Samson et Dalila / Gorr · Vickers · Blanc · Corazza · Prêtre

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There will always be listeners who find this, Saint-Saens' most famous opera, to be either kitsch, closer to Cecil De Mille than to the Biblical Book of Judges, or overly static, more oratorio than opera. But for other listeners the craft, pacing and the melodiousness of the work more than compensate. And what roles for the two lead singers! Which brings us to the attractions of this recording - conducted with no great distinction by George Pretre - the performances of Jon Vickers as Samson and Rita Gorr as Dalila, two star turns if there ever were any. Vickers, in his youthful splendor, delivers an inimitable performance, with all the heroism, passion and anguish that were uniquely his to command. The vocal prowess and, especially, the expressive depth he brings to the role make one feel for minutes at a time (and against one's better judgment) that Saint-Saens succeeded in creating true epic tragedy of the highest order. Rita Gorr, she of the prodigious voice that sometimes spun wildly off pitch, is in perfect control of her instrument - and her art - in this classic performance. Seductive, powerful, beautiful of timbre in the lower-lying passages, ringing and secure in her sometimes unwieldy upper register, she provides Vickers with a worthy adversary.
A must for fans of Saint-Saens and of great singing.

I approached this recording with some trepidation because it is rated 2 stars by Penguin guide. After listening to it, I can say that the 2 stars is a ridiculous rating. This is too good for 2 stars. No one disputes the fact that it enshrines 2 classic performances - Vicker's incomparable Samson, a role he sang from the beginning of his career till his retirement in the late 1980s, and Gorr's sensuous Delila. Vicker's singing is rich, full, beautiful and he is totally in his character. Gorr's tone is voluptuous and beautiful. To quote the Gramophone magazine "Pretre ... is lively and histrionic ... and secures good performances from his choir and orchestra." Yes, the sound is full and sumptuous and the performance is great. Is it worthy of the tag "Great Recording of the Century"? YES!! Especially with Vickers and Gorr around, this is a great performance to be cherished. Don't miss the incandescent performance from Jon Vickers and Rita Gorr.

The opera about the Biblical tragic hero Samson and his seduction by Delilah is best portrayed by the heroic tenor Jon Vickers, one of the best Siegmunds ever to grace operatic stage, and Rita Gorr, a mezzo-soprano who as lately as last year was still around performing.
Vickers sung a most affecting and tragic Samson, heroic in the earlier Acts and devastatingly tragic from Act 2 Scene 3 onwards.
Rita Gorr has a rich and velvety mezzo-soprano voice that is seductive as well as powerful, both elements being vital for the role of Dalila. While the later recording by Olga Borodina boasts of an equally beautiful mezzo voice, in terms of power she still has some length to go compared with Rita Gorr's.
The choir and the orchestra gave very splendid performances here. Much credit goes to conductor Georges Pretre. Certainly, Ernest Blanc as Le Grande Pretre du Dagon is another reason for getting this indispensable CD.

Although there are more recent recordings of this beautiful opera, this one dating back to the 60's is a true joy to hear. Remastered to excellent quality, Mezzo-Soprano Rita Gorr and Tenor Jon Vickers (giants in their day) are absolutely marvelous. Ms. Gorr's voice was sometimes criticized for being a bit metalic, but I've found her sound very intriguing, especially in this role. As for Jon Vickers...always, but always powerful and thrilling. Conductor George Pretre knew what he was doing when he put these two pros together. Don't be detoured by the age of this recording, it's a classic in the truest sense.

This is regarded by many critics as 'the classic' recording. However, buyer beware! Whilst Vickers voice is the amazing force of nature we can expect Rita Gorr sounds like a battle axe. Gorr's voice just isn't sexy at all. In addition the sound recording is far from top notch and shows its age.

I bought this recording because many reviews recommended it. I already owned the superb Colin Davis (Jose Cura and Borodina on Erato Label) set but thought this must be a special recording. I was very disappointed. To my mind the two sets worth their money are Davis (Cura, Borodina) and Chung's (Domingo, Meier). Both are superb, with a Samson and Dalila who sound attractive and attracted. Both sets are well recorded in digital sound quality. Both have a Dalila who sounds like a beautiful diva rather than an old dame.

This old Pretre (Vickers, Gorr) set was bettered years ago. Don't bother before checking out the far superior competition.