LAKMÉ

Opera in three acts by Delibes; libretto by Gille and Gondinet. Lakmé is the daughter of Nil a kantha , a fanatical Brahmin priest. While he nurses his hatred of the British invader, his daughter strolls in her garden, singing duets with her slave Mallika . An English officer, one Gerald , breaks through the bambou fence that surrounds Nil a kantha's retreat, in a ruined temple in the depths of an Indian forest. He courts Lakmé who immediately returns his love. Nil a kantha seeing the broken fence at once suspects an English invader. In act two the old man disguised as a beggar is armed with a dagger. Lakmé is disguised as a street singer. Together they search for the profaner of the sacred spot at a market. It is here that she sings the famous Bell Song. Gerald recognizes Lakmé as Nil a kantha recognizes the disturber of his peace. A dagger thrust lays Gerald low. Lakmé and her slave carry him to a hut hidden in the forest. During his convalescence the time pa es pleasantly. The lovers sing duets and exchange vows of undying love. But Frederick , a brother officer and a slave to duty, informs Gerald that he must march with his regiment. Lakmé makes the best of the situation by eating a poisonous flower which brings about her death. IMG:872270115144378713_gall i-curci_lakme.png:Galli-Curci Photo copyright, 1916, by Victor Georg Galli-Curci as Lakmé The story is based by Gondinet and Gille upon "Le Mariage de Loti." Ellen , Rose , and Mrs. Benson , English women, hover in the background of the romance. But their parts are of negligible importance, and in fact when Mi Van Zandt and a French Company first gave the opera in London they were omitted altogether, some said wisely. The opera was first presented in Paris at the Opéra Comique with Mi Van Zandt. It was first sung in New York by the American Opera Company at the Academy of Music, March 1, 1886. The first Lakmé to be heard in New York was Pauline L'Allemand, the second Adelina Patti, this time in 1890 and at the Metropolitan Opera House. Mme. Sembrich and Luisa Tetrazzini sang it later.