Delibes, Léo

Léo Delibes – Lakmé

(b. Saint-Germain-du-Val, 21. February1836 – d. Paris, 6. January 1891)

Opera in three acts

Preface
Most of the music written by Léo Delibes is infrequently performed in the 21st century. But, during his lifetime, this writer of over 30 works for the stage was greatly admired, so much so that the United States government arranged to purchase the bulk of his manuscripts after his death from his widow.1 Today, he is remember primarily for the ballets Coppélia (1870) and Sylvia (1876), and the opera Lakmé (1883).

Lakmé was commissioned by Léon Carvalho, the manager of Paris’ Opéra-Comique, following the success of Delibes’ Jean de Nivelle, which was first performed in 1880 to a libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille. Caravlho engaged the same team to write a new work. Early sources report that the libretto was based on Pierre Loti’s Le marriage de Loti from 1880, but more recent research has identified a short story by Théodore Pavie, “Les babouches du Brahmane,” published in 1853, as the principal source.2

The opera was lavishly produced by Carvalho and first performed on 14 April 1883 by the Opéra-Comique at the Salle Favart in Paris, and featured the American soprano Marie van Zandt in the title role. It was an immediate success and was soon performed throughout Europe and beyond.3

Originally written, as per Opéra-Comique tradition, with spoken dialogue, Delibes later, in August 1883, composed recitatives to create an all-sung grand opera.4

Set against the background of British-occupied India, the plot follows a standard 19th century format, in which the soprano and tenor wish to get together, and the baritone labors to prevent them: …

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