Lakmé

Opera by LÉO DELIBES, 1883, first performed in Paris. Lakmé, the daughter of a priest of Brahma, is loved by a British officer. He inadvertently profanes the Buddhist temple by entering it with his shoes on and is denounced by the priest. In the end, Lakmé realizes the futility of her love, plucks a poisonous flower, and dies.

The score is permeated with attractive pseudo-oriental melodies and rhythms. Lakmé's Bell Song is a perennial favorite with COLORATURA SOPRANOS.