The Flower Duet Comes Home in Delibes' 'Lakmé'

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Introduction

By Lisa Simone





THE HIT SINGLE:  "The Flower Duet"

This duet from Act 1 of Lakmé has been a musical star everywhere from horror movies (!?) to dreamy television commercials. It's sung early in the opera by Lakmé (soprano Julia Bauer) and her servant Mallika (mezzo-soprano Élodie Méchain), as the two young women approach a gently flowing river to gather flowers.

 





THE B SIDE:  "The Bell Song"

In Act 2, Nilakantha urges Lakme to sing the spectacular "Bell Song," as part of his plan to lure the British officer Gerald into a trap, and put a stop to their budding relationship.





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