Existing comment:
Leo Delibes. Lakmé, 1881–1882.
Delibes's Lakmé
Léo Delibes (1836–1891) wrote his most successful opera, Lakmé, at the suggestion of its librettist Edmond Gondinet (1828–1888). The opera is set in colorful and exotic British India, which provides the opportunity to incorporate Hindu religious ceremonies and unusual flora from the region (Lakmé poisons herself with a datura leaf at the end of the opera), largely unknown to French audiences of the day. The opera was premiered in 1883 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris and remained in the repertory for nearly eighty years. The difficult coloratura-soprano title role was written as a showcase for the American soprano Marie van Zandt (1858–1919) and it has continued to be a vehicle for the greatest coloratura sopranos of the day, including Lily Pons (1898–1976). The manuscript page on display is from the complete score, housed at the Library of Congress. |