Exeter Opera Group

A Brilliant Premiere of Samson et Dalila!

Exeter Opera Group was delighted to present a highly successful Devon premiere of Saint-Saëns' Samson et Dalila at Salterton Drama Club. The audience was captivated by the performance, and we received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from excited and enthusiastic opera lovers.

Our soloists delivered outstanding singing and compelling acting, bringing this powerful work to life. We were also honoured to welcome the Mayor of Exmouth, Graham Deasy, who attended the performance to support us and is pictured here.

Following this wonderful success, we are looking forward to our next performance, the second presentation of Samson et Dalila in Devon, on 25 September at Crediton Arts Centre. We hope to see you there!

Exeter Opera Group is committed to enriching Devon’s cultural life through ambitious and accessible performances of some of the world’s most treasured operatic works. As a young, independent company, EOG is proud to bring audiences the beauty, drama and emotional depth of opera, creating opportunities for local communities to experience masterpieces that are rarely performed in the region.

A particular highlight of the company’s current season is Camille Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila, presented for the first time in Devon. One of the most powerful and captivating operas in the French repertoire, it combines a compelling story of love, faith, betrayal and redemption with some of the most glorious music ever written for the stage. EOG’s production features an outstanding cast of performers, bringing this remarkable work to life with passion, artistry and musical excellence.

Alongside Samson et Dalila, Exeter Opera Group continues to present a diverse range of opera repertoire, contributing to the cultural landscape of Devon and making high-quality live performance accessible to audiences across the county. Through these productions, EOG seeks not only to entertain, but also to foster a deeper appreciation of the rich traditions of opera and the performing arts.

The 1st performance of 'Samson et Dalila' is this Saturday, September 19th @7:30pm at Salterton Drama Club. Don't miss it!

🎭 SO, WHAT IS SAMSON ET DALILA ACTUALLY ABOUT?

Love. Betrayal. Revenge. And one seriously disastrous haircut… ✂️

Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila tells the biblical story of Samson, a man blessed with extraordinary strength, and Dalila, the woman who sets out to discover the secret behind it.

She seduces him. He falls for her. He reveals his secret.

And what happens next doesn’t exactly go well for Samson… 👀

It’s a story of passion, temptation, betrayal and vengeance, accompanied by some of the most beautiful and dramatic music in French opera.

And this Saturday 19 September, Exeter Opera brings it to life right here at The Salterton Playhouse.

Never seen an opera before? Don’t be put off by the title — at its heart, this is a cracking piece of storytelling.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now from https://www.saltertondrama.co.uk/ or BIC 01395 445275.

Exeter Opera Group is delighted to present Camille Saint-Saëns' dramatic masterpiece Samson et Dalila at Salterton Drama Club on 19 September.

Filled with passion, intrigue and some of the most beautiful music ever written, this opera tells the story of the mighty Samson and the woman who changed his destiny forever.

Featuring outstanding soloists and performed in the original French with piano accompaniment, this rare production marks the first known performance of the opera in Devon.

Whether you are an opera lover or completely new to opera, join us for an unforgettable evening of music and drama.

Exeter Opera Group is proud to present Samson et Dalila, bringing one of the world's most celebrated operas to Devon. While this masterpiece is regularly staged by leading international opera houses, it has never previously been performed in Devon. We are delighted to offer audiences the opportunity to experience this thrilling work for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the cultural life of the county.🥰

No official or recorded professional staging of Camille Saint-Saëns' opera Samson et Dalila took place in Devon prior to 2026.
Exeter Opera Group is bringing the French masterpiece to Devon - DON'T MISS IT!

Creative ideas born, while rehearsing 'Samson et Dalila'. How would you draw or paint it?🥰

In 3 weeks...

Exeter Opera Group is delighted to introduce the Pianist Richard Lucas.

Richard attained a Grade 8 distinction when he was 16 years old and played Mozart’s 21st and Beethoven’s 1st Piano Concertos while still at school.

Following a career in teaching, where he was until recently Head of Music at Chard School, he is now dedicating most of his time to concerts, accompanying various solo artists in the East Devon area, performing his own presentation of the History of Piano Music, and providing the piano accompaniment for Exeter Opera Group, with recent performances of 'Carmen' and 'Samson & Delila'.

Richard is a song writer, who has written at least 20 songs for church and school, and plays with his local church worship group as worship leader and accompanist.