Delibes: Lakmé (Highlights)

1	Lakmé: Où va la jeune ind
2	Lakmé: Viens, Mallikà...S
3	Lakmé: Quand une femme es
4	Lakmé: O fantaisie aux di
5	Lakmé: Pourquoi dans les
6	Lakmé: D'où viens tu...C'
7	Lakmé: Allons, avant que
8	Lakmé: Lakmé, ton doux re
9	Lakmé: Dans la forêt près
10	Lakmé: Sous le ciel tout
11	Lakmé: Tu m'as donné le p
Delibes: Lakmé (Highlights)
1.	Lakmé, opera: Viens Mallika...Dôme épais le jasmin 6:05
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Joan Sutherland, Jane Berbié and Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
2.	Lakmé, opera: Quand une femme est si jolie 4:50
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Joan Sutherland, Joseph Clement, Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra, Monica Sinclair, Alain Vanzo and Gwenyth Annear
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
3.	Lakmé, opera: Prendre le dessin d'un bijou...Fantaisie aux divin 6:05
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
	Performed by Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra and Alain Vanzo
4.	Lakmé, opera: Les fleurs me paraissent plus belles...Pourquoi da 4:02
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Joan Sutherland and Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
5.	Lakmé, opera: D'où viens-tu? que veux-tu?...C'est le dieu de la 8:45
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Joan Sutherland, Gabriel Bacquier, Emile Belcourt, Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra and Alain Vanzo
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
6.	Lakmé, opera: Allons, avant que midi sonne 4:55
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
	Performed by Joseph Clement, Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra and Monica Sinclair
7.	Lakmé, opera: Lakmé, ton doux regard se voile 3:36
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Gabriel Bacquier and Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
8.	Lakmé, opera: Ah!...Où va la jeune Indoue (Air des closchettes - 7:59
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Joan Sutherland, Gabriel Bacquier and Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
9.	Lakmé, opera: Lakmé! Lakmé! C'est toi!...Dans la forêt près de n 8:05
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Joan Sutherland, Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra and Alain Vanzo
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
10.	Lakmé, opera: Sous le ciel tout étoilé 3:31
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Joan Sutherland and Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge
11.	Lakmé, opera: Lakmé! Lakmé! qu'as-tu?--Tu m'as donné le plus bea 10:11
	Composed by Léo Delibes
	Performed by Joan Sutherland, Gabriel Bacquier, Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra and Alain Vanzo
	Conducted by Richard Bonynge

Barnes & Noble

There are two reasons Leo Delibes's Lakmé hasn't disappeared into operatic oblivion: the "Flower Duet," used in countless films and television ads, and the "Bell Song," a favorite showpiece of coloratura sopranos. It's a pity the opera is so rarely performed, as it's filled with other lovely arias and ensembles. Decca's complete recording (originally issued in 1968), featuring Joan Sutherland in the title role, makes a strong case for the score, but if you merely want to sample its charms, this generous disc of highlights should fit the bill. Sutherland is in her prime here, and she's backed by a strong, mostly French cast. Alain Vanzo, as her suitor Gérald, has a sweet tenor voice and an elegant, ardent style. Lakmé and Gérald's duets (there are three on this disc) comprise the meat of the opera -- both lyrically and dramatically -- and these singers sound terrific together. Even Richard Bonynge, not always the most incisive conductor, whips up some excitement when Sutherland and Vanzo join voices. Until some star soprano (Natalie Dessay, perhaps?) inspires a revival of this unjustly neglected opera, it will have to survive on records. Operaphiles should thank their lucky stars that Decca has given this trusty version a new lease on life.

All Music Guide

For many years, the only piece that most opera lovers knew from "Lakme" was the Bell song. When British Airways introduced a new advertisment using the Act 1 duet between Lakme and Malika, the opera gained a new audience. The reissue of highlights from this 1967 recording with Joan Sutherland in the title role is an excellent way for the average listener to get these two wonderful highlights, as well as some other wonderful music, without the expense of the full recording. The Bell song rings forth with force of Big Ben rather than the tinkles of Lily Pons or Mady Mesple. The French language demands more pointed diction than Sutherland offers but she does sing with great beauty. In the famous duet, Sutherland displays a wonderful sense of legato and Jane Berbie, as Malika, sings as well as she ever did on recordings. Alain Vanzo is the lover, Gerald, and sings his famous "Fantasie" very well. Gabriel Bacquier is properly villainous as Nilakantha. The shorter roles ware well taken, especially Monica Sinclair as Miss Bentson. The Monte Carlo Opera Orchestra and Chorus are under the very able direction of Richard Bonynge. Bonynge has always had a flair for French opera which sometimes eluded his Italian work. An excellent buy for anyone wanting to get to know the most important music from "Lakme" without having to buy the complete opera. Richard LeSueur