Washington Concert Opera welcomes three singers making their company debuts in Saint-Saens’ “Samson et Dalila,” the biblical tale of a strong man and the conniving woman who has her way with his hair. Mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung sings the role of Dalila, tenor Frank Porretta is Samson and bass-baritone Greer Grimsley is the evil high priest whom Samson slays. All are seasoned stars of opera companies in this country and abroad. DeYoung’s powerful voice began attracts Wagnerian roles. “Even in college, everybody knew I would sing Wagner because I looked like it and my voice was enormous,” she said. “Wagner’s women are all incredibly strong and dramatic.”
DeYoung said she’s thrilled to sing the role of Dalila for the first time because it suits her voice perfectly. She chose one of Dalila’s arias for her Metropolitan Opera audition but has not yet sung the entire opera.
| If you go |
| ‘Samson et Dalila’ |
| Where: The George Washington University Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW |
| When: 6 p.m. Sunday |
| Info: $25 to $100; 202-364-5826; concertopera.org |
“Certain roles fit me like a glove,” she said. “My concert repertoire has a lot of Mahler. When I chose the music for my solo album, ‘Songs,’ I looked for a nice variety. Wagner made sense because his music figures in my concert repertoire. Like Amneris [from “Aida”], Dalila has enormous range and allows me to use the full extent of my capacity.
“This is a huge role to manage. Since it’s the first time I’ve done it, I’m glad it will be in a concert version so I can focus on singing and interaction with the other vocalists instead of worrying about sets and staging details.”
DeYoung is working on a second solo album and expects a busy summer schedule that includes Verdi’s “Requiem” in Cleveland, concerts with the Colorado Symphony, the Aspen Festival and a tour with conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen in Sweden and his native Finland.
“I hope the Washington Concert Opera audience understands Dalila for more than being manipulative and horrid,” she said. “It will be a wonderful experience singing gorgeous music that is sure to touch them and me.”
