Bicket and English Concert are magnificent in Samson

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Blinded, shorn and shackled, the Israelite hero rails against his treacherous wife, Dalila ("thou hyena"), his former adversary Harapha ("Thou bulk, of spirit void") and the world at large.

He particularly blames himself for placing his strength "in lust's lascivious lap", laying himself open to the fateful haircut.

Harry Bicket, with the English Concert, its choir and that of The New Company, rose magnificently to the occasion in a well-paced performance whose narrative sweep was all the more compelling for not being punctuated by intrusive applause.

In the early stages it was perhaps a bit restrained and polite but it shifted up a gear for the glorious music of the final act - Samson's "Thus when the Sun" and Manoa's How Willing my Paternal Love, eloquently sung by Neal Davies.

Mark Padmore's Samson was equally outstanding whether spitting venom or cursing himself.

Susan Gritton's all-too-brief appearance as the wheedling Dalila was flawless, as was Iestyn Davies's Micah.

Lucy Crowe deployed her lighter, sparkling soprano to excellent effect in "Let the bright Seraphim". Christopher Purves as Harapha harrumphed splendidly.

Information: 0845 4015040, www.bbc.co.uk/proms.

The English Concert/Bicket