Leo Delibes - Lakmé

Leo DELIBES (1836-1891)

 Lakme (1883)

Opera in Three Acts 

Libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille.

based on the novel Rarahu ou Le Mariage  by Pierre Loti

Joan Sutherland (soprano)

Alain Vanzo (tenor)

Gabriel Bacquier (baritone)

Monte-Carlo Opera Chorus

Orchestre National de l’Opéra

de Monte-Carlo

Richard Bonynge

Recording location: Salle Alcazar, Monte Carlo, October 1967

Lakmé is a tragic three-act opera composed by French composer Léo Delibes (February 21, 1836 – January 16, 1891). The libretto is written by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille in French. It is based on the novel Rarahu ou Le Mariage de Loti by Pierre Loti. It was premiered in Paris, Opéra Comique, April 14, 1883.

When Léo Delibes composed Lakmé, he was already accomplished as a ballet composer. For this opera, he still conformed to procedures already worn in opera comique in his day. Lakmé is a great vehicle for finest sopranos.

 Characters

    Gérard, (tenor)

    Nilakantha, a Brahmin priest (bass)

    Lakmé, Nilakantha's daughter (soprano)

    Fréderic, British officer (baritone or bass)

    Mallika, servant (mezzo soprano)

    Hadji, servant (tenor)

    Ellen, (soprano)

    Rose, (soprano)

    Mrs. Benson (mezzo soprano)

    Chinese merchant, (tenor)

    Pickpocket, (baritone)

    Chorus of Indians, Brahmins, Chinese merchants (satb)

 Synopsis

Setting is in India in the mid-nineteenth century and the plot revolves around the fanatical hatred of the Brahmin priest for the English invaders, who forbid them to practice their religion. Set numbers with accompanied recitative and spoken dialogue.

Act I

Nilakantha and his daughter, Lakmé, led the Hindus in prayer. Nilakantha leaves Lakmé in the care of two servants, Hadji and Mallika. A party of British soldiers arrive near the temple. Two curious young British officers, Gérald and Frederic, drifted to the temple grounds, in effect, trespassing. Frederic leaves but not Gérald who catches sight of Lakmé. They fall in love. Nilakantha sees him, discovers a breach in the gate and swears vengeance for desecrating their holy ground. Lakmé warns him to leave, for death is the penalty for trespassing. Gérald and Lakmé fall in love.

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 Act II

Miss Benson, the governess, is rescued from the crowd of Chinese and Hindu merchants by the young people. A festival in honor of the god Dourga is in progress and Nilakantha mingles with the crowd, disguised as a beggar. Only the trespasser's death will appease the god, Nilakantha declares. In a crowded marketplace, Gérald and Frederic meet. Nilakantha has been shadowing Gérald. He asks Lakmé to sing "The Bell Song," a Brahmin song hoping that the 'intruder' will be drawn to her. Lakmé, on seeing Gérald faints, Gérald catches her, giving himself away. Nilakantha instructs his co-conspirators to fall upon Gérald. During a procession, Gerald is stabbed and injured by the conspirators. Hadji and Lakmé help him escape and Lakmé tells him of a hidden bamboo hut in the forest.

Act III

In a forest hut, Lakmé is nursing Gérald's wounds. Frederic discovers the lovers' hiding place and reminds Gérald of his duty to the regiment and that the British army is on the move. Realizing that Gérald is leaving her, Lakmé takes a poisoned flower. The lovers vow eternal love and discovered by Nilakantha. Lakmé dies.