description Lakmé Overview
"Lakmé" is a three-act opéra comique by French composer Léo Delibes, featuring a libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille. Premiering in 1883 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, the work is set in late 19th-century India under British colonial rule and centers on a tragic romance between a British officer and the daughter of a Hindu priest. It remains widely performed today and is particularly famous for its demanding coloratura "Bell Song" and the "Flower Duet," which frequently appear in popular media.
help Lakmé FAQ
Who sings the Flower Duet in Lakmé, and what is happening in the scene?
Lakmé and her servant Mallika sing "Sous le dôme épais" while gathering flowers near a river. The duet is written for soprano and mezzo-soprano and occurs before Lakmé meets the British officer Gérald.
Why does Lakmé sing the Bell Song?
Her father Nilakantha forces her to sing in a crowded marketplace so that the British intruder who entered their sacred garden might reveal himself. Gérald recognizes Lakmé, and Nilakantha identifies him as the man he wants to punish.
What causes Lakmé's death?
Lakmé realizes that Gérald intends to return to his military duty and takes poison from the datura plant. She dies after completing a sacred ritual intended to bind them together.
Where is Lakmé set?
The opera is set in British India and centers on conflict between colonial officers and the Brahmin priest Nilakantha. Its 1883 French score reflects the period's European taste for musical exoticism rather than an Indian compositional tradition.
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