Lakmé
Léo Delibes
In the recently colonised Indies, against a backdrop of popular festivals and wildlife, the whirlwind romance of a British officer and a Brahim’s daughter fuels tensions in the community.
Inspired by Pierre Loti, Léo Delibes enacts the driving forces of orientalist opera in a daringly contemporary plot: impossible passion, musical evocation of distant civilisation, clashes between religious fanaticism and sensuality. Composed for two stars of the Opéra Comique, soprano Marie van Zandt and tenor Talazac, Lakmé has been internationally acclaimed and has become a jewel of the institution, where it’s been played over 1,600 times since 1883.
Raphaël Pichon, leading the Pygmalion ensemble, and Laurent Pelly, at the stage direction, give a truthful depiction of the characters’ personality and glorify each scene and the importance given to political issues. Sabine Devieilhe reunites with the virtuoso and tragic title role that made her famous at the Opéra Comique in 2014.
Comic opera in three acts. Libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille.
Created in 1883 at the Opéra-Comique.
Director: François Roussillon
Production: FRA Prod
Naxos – Opéra-Comique
Release: 13 October 2023
Awards
La presse en parle
‘At the Opéra-Comique, Lakmé’s new golden age. With her sublime technique and emotion, soprano Sabine Devieilhe seems tailor-made to embody the heroine of Léo Delibes’ opera and, together with an exceptional cast, carry this highly anticipated production to great heights.’ (Christian Merlin, 2022)
‘At the Opéra-Comique, Sabine Devieilhe’s historic Lakmé. Her pure, now distant voice moves the audience to tears. Few artists possess this power, but Sabine Devieilhe is an artist from another planet on this opening night at the Opéra-Comique. (…) Conducted in the pit by Raphaël Pichon, who is in a lyrical, elegant and masterful mood, at the head of a Pygmalion orchestra that is as subtle in its nuances as it is convincing in its drama.’ (Marie-Aude Roux, 2022)
‘In the pit and on stage, Raphaël Pichon and his ensemble Pygmalion give their all in this new adventure that is, for them, French romantic opera – we expected nothing less from a group that has constantly pushed its limits and those of its repertoire. The rich timbre and subtleties of the orchestration, the changes in mood, the solo performances and choral sequences all contribute to the success of this new season production.’ (Sophie Bourdais, 2022)
