"Samson and Delilah" was completed in 1876 while Saint-Saens was working in France. It was not performed until Franz Liszt conducted the premiere in 1877.
The Danse Bacchanale serves as a powerful and tribal dance before Samson destroys the Philistine temple during Act III of the opera. This dance's primary function is to add tension to the ultimate, destructive climax.
The Bacchanale is often used to cite irrationality or an altered mindset of a principle character. As the name "bacchanale" comes from Greek celebrations of women and alcohol, the piece is a reference to such festivals.
The first recording of Danse Bacchanale was done in 1936. This recording featured the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus and the direction of Maurice Abravanel.
Other famous Bacchanales include the "Bacchanale" by Richard Wagner in "Tannhäuser" and "Bacchanale" by John Cage. The Cage composition was written for prepared piano.