17. "Flower Duet"
Sous le dÔme Épais...
Under the dome of jasmine and roses...
LAKMÉ/ MALLIKA
Under the thick dome where the white jasmine
With the roses entwined together
On the river bank covered with flowers laughing in the morning
Let us descend together!
Gently floating on its charming risings,
On the river’s current
On the shining waves,
One hand reaches,
Reaches for the bank,
Where the spring sleeps,
And the bird, the bird sings.
Under the thick dome where the white jasmine
Ah! calling us together!
LAKMÉ/ MALLIKA
Under the thick dome where the white jasmine
With the roses entwined together
On the river bank covered with flowers laughing in the morning
Let us descend together!
Gently floating on its charming risings,
On the river’s current
On the shining waves,
One hand reaches,
Reaches for the bank,
Where the spring sleeps,
And the bird, the bird sings.
Under the thick dome where the white jasmine
Ah! calling us together!
Léo Delibes' Lakmé takes place in late 19th century India. Lakmé, daughter of high priest Nilakantha, and her maid, Mallika, walk to the river to gather flowers and bathe. A British soldier, Gerald, later comes upon Lakmé and the two are immediately attracted to one another.
When Nilakantha finds out a soldier has trespassed and defiled the Temple of Brahmin, he swears vengeance. He forces his daughter to sing in the bazaar, enticing Gerald to reveal himself. Gerald is stabbed by Nilakantha, but escapes with Lakmé into the forest where she nurses him to recovery.
Lakmé leaves to fetch water from a magical spring, which grants eternal love. Torn between his duty to his country and his love for her, Gerald refuses to drink. To avoid dishonour, Lakmé poisons herself, telling Gerald what she has done; they then drink the water together. Nilakantha finds his daughter, who reveals she and Gerald drank from the magical spring. In that instant, she dies.