Samson and Delilah (Samson et Dalila), Op. 47, is a grand opera in three acts and four scenes by Saint-Saëns to a French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire. It was first performed in Weimar at the Grossherzogliches (Grand Ducal) Theater in1877 in a German translation. The opera is based on the Biblical tale of Samson and Delilah found in the Book of Judges. It is the only opera by Saint-Saëns that is regularly performed. The second act love scene in Delilah's tent is one of the set pieces that define French opera. Two of Delilah's arias are particularly well known: "Printemps qui commence" and "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" ("My heart opens itself to your voice", also known as "Softly awakes my heart"), the latter of which is one of the most popular recital pieces in the mezzo-soprano/contralto repertoire.
The late plate number is for the miniature score, which is merely a photographic reduction of the score issued in ca.1895 with the plate number D. F. 2389. The first edition of the full score (Plate D. S. & C. 2389) was 494 pages.
