Page "Samson and Delilah (opera)" Paragraph 10

Although Liszt was no longer the musical director in Weimar, he still exerted a powerful influence at the Weimar court.

Eduard Lassen, the director who followed Liszt at Weimar, owed much of his success to his celebrated predecessor, and Liszt used his influence to arrange the premiere of Samson et Dalila with Lassen on the podium during the 1877 / 1878 season.

The libretto was duly translated into German for the production and the opera's first performance was given on 2 December 1877 at the Grossherzogliches Theatre ( Grand Ducal Theater ).

Viardot was too old to sing Delilah so the role was entrusted to Auguste von Müller, a resident performer at the Weimar opera house.

Although a resounding success with the Weimar critics and audience, the opera was not immediately revived in other opera houses.