Delibes
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Clement Léo DELIBES |
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Léo Delibes (de-LEEB) was a French composer. His father was in the postal service, but his mother was a musician and the daughter of an opera singer. Delibes studied organ. He played as a church organist for eighteen years and was also a music professor at the Paris Conservatory.
Tchaikovsky admired Delibes' work, which is described as "elegant, witty, charming, graceful and light." Tchaikovsky and Delibes dominate the ballet heritage of the Romantic Period. Coppélia and Sylvia are Delibes’ most famous ballets.
Delibes knew Bizet and Offenbach. He was present at the premiere of Carmen. He wrote many light operettas for Offenbach's theater, but his fame rests in his ballet music and his opera Lakmé. This web site teaches the Flower Duet theme from Lakmé.
Lakmé is the daughter of a Hindu priest in India. The priest hates the British invaders and keeps Lakmé secluded in a garden surrounding the temple. Two British officers and their lady friends break through the bamboo fence and enter the garden. The girls want a sketch of Lakmé's jewels. One officer, Gérald, who is an artist, stays behind to sketch while the others leave.
Although Lakmé is alarmed when she comes to the garden, she and Gérald are infatuated with each other. They sing together (not too smart) and the priest father hears the music. When Gérald hears him coming, he escapes. The priest is furious and cries for vengeance on whoever dared to come into the sacred garden temple.
When Gérald visits the garden again, he is inclined to desert the army and stay in India with Lakmé. They plan to pledge eternal love by drinking together from the sacred spring. Gérald's companion, Frederic, has been watching and reminds Gérald that his regiment is leaving that night, and he must not forget his honor as a soldier. Lakmé knows that Gérald will leave. She tears off a leaf of the fatal datura tree and bites it. They drink together from the sacred spring and swear eternal love.
Lakmé dies a moment later. Gérald cries in despair, but the father priest thinks of Lakmé transported to eternal life and he is happy.
Additional Info
- Compositions: Lakmé, Flower Duet
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