Lakmé, daughter of Nilakantha.
Nilakantha, a Brahmin priest.
Gerald, an English officer, lover of Lakmé.
Frederick, an English officer.
Mallika, slave of Lakmé.
Hadji, slave of Lakmé.
Ellen, }
Rose, } daughters of the Viceroy.
Mrs. Benson, their governess.
[Hindoos, Chinamen, fruit-venders, sailors, etc.]
The scene is laid in India; time, last century.
The opera of "Lakmé" opens in the sacred grounds of Nilakantha, a Brahmin
priest who has an aversion to all foreigners, where Gerald and Frederick,
two young English officers, with ladies are strolling about. They
gradually retire with the exception of Gerald, who is curious to see the
owner of some jewels left upon a shrine. Lakmé, the daughter of
Nilakantha, returns for them, espies Gerald, and there is a case of love
at first sight. The priest however interrupts their demonstrations, and
Gerald escapes his vengeance in a convenient thunder-storm. In the second
act Lakmé and Nilakantha appear in the market-place in the guise of
penitents. He forces his daughter to sing, hoping that her voice will
induce her lover to disclose himself. The scheme succeeds, and
Nilakantha, stealing upon Gerald, stabs him in the back and makes good
his escape. The third act opens in a jungle where Lakmé is nursing Gerald
with the hope of retaining his love. She eventually saves his life, but
while she is absent to obtain some water which, according to the Indian
legend, will make love eternal, Frederick finds him and urges him to
return to his regiment. Duty is more powerful than passion, and he
consents. When Lakmé finds that he is going, she takes poison and dies in
Gerald's arms.
The first act opens with a chorus of Hindoos, oriental in its coloring,
followed by a duet between Lakmé and her father, the scene closing with a
sacred chant. A beautiful duet for Lakmé and her slave follows, "Neath
yon Dome where Jasmines with the Roses are blooming." As Lakmé appears at
the shrine, she sings a restless love song, "Why love I thus to stray?"
followed by Gerald's ardent response, "The God of Truth so Glowing."
The first number of importance in the second act is the pathetic aria of
Nilakantha, addressed to his daughter, "Lakmé, thy Soft Looks are
over-clouded." Then follows Lakmé's bell song, "Where strays the Hindoo
Maiden," a brilliant and gracefully embellished aria with tinkling
accompaniment which will always be popular. The remaining principal
numbers are an impassioned song by Gerald, "Ah! then 'tis Slumbering
Love," followed by the mysterious response from Lakmé, "In the Forest
near at Hand."
The music of the third act is tinged with sadness throughout, as the
action hastens to the tragic dénouement. Its principal numbers are the
low murmuring song by Lakmé, "'Neath the Dome of Moon and Star," as she
watches her sleeping lover; Gerald's song, "Tho' Speechless I, my Heart
remembers," followed by a pretty three-part chorus in the distance; and
Lakmé's last dying songs, "To me the Fairest Dream thou'st given," and
"Farewell, the Dream is over."