English Translation of the Flower Duet

Come, Mallika,

The creepers in flower already cast their shadow upon the sacred stream that flows,

Dark and peaceful, awakened by the clamorous song of the birds!

O mistress!

This is the hour when I see you smile,

The blessed hour when I may read Lakmé’s ever secret heart!

A dense vault – the jasmine entwines with the rose, flowering bank and fresh morning together call us.

Oh, let us glide along, drifting with the fleeting current on the shimmering wave.

With a languid hand let us reach the bank where the spring sleeps and the birds sing.

Dense vault and white jasmine together call us!

But I know not what sudden fear takes hold of me: when my father goes alone to their accursed town I tremble with fright!

That the god Ganessa may protect him let us go as far as the pool where the snowy winged swans disport themselves happily and gather the blue lotus flowers.

Yes, near the snowy-winged swans let us go and gather the blue lotus flowers.

A dense vault – the jasmine entwines with the rose, flowering bank and fresh morning together call us.

Oh, let us glide along, drifting with the fleeting current on the shimmering wave.

With a languid hand let us reach the bank where the spring sleeps and the birds sing.

Dense vault and white jasmine together call us!

Synopsis

Act One: Lakme is set in British India in the 19th century. Nilakantha, a Brahmin priest, is bent on rebelling against the occupying British, who have forbidden him from practicing his religion. When Nilakantha goes to attend a gathering of the faithful, his daughter Lakme and her servant Millika are left behind. The two go off toward a river to gather flowers and sing the famous “Flower Duet.” As they approach the water, Lakme removes her jewelry and leaves it on a bench. (Flower Duet)

Nearby, British officers Gerald and Frederic are on a picnic with two young English girls and their governess. The girls notice Lakme’s jewelry and want sketches of the pieces. Gerald agrees to stay behind to make the drawings.

Lakme and Mallika return, and Gerald hides. Then Mallika goes off, leaving Lakme alone. When Lakme spots Gerald, she’s frightened and cries out. But when people come to help, she sends them away. Lakme’s heart is doing flip-flops over this young stranger, and he’s taken with her as well. But Lakme knows it’s dangerous for them to be seen together, and she tells Gerald to forget he ever saw her. When Nilakantha returns, he’s furious at finding Gerald with Lakme and says the officer will pay for his affront to Lakme’s honor.

Act Two: Nilakantha is in a marketplace, among a crowd of English soldiers and Indians, and he has a plan. He asks Lakme to sing, knowing Gerald will be drawn to her voice. She sings the “Bell Song,” an aria famous for its exotic musical colors and spectacular, high coloratura.

The song does attract Gerald, but when Lakme sees him, she stops singing and faints. When Gerald rushes to help her, Nilakantha steps out of the crowd and stabs him. Seeing that Gerald is only slightly injured, Nilakantha flees. Lakme and a servant, Hadji, take Gerald to a safe hiding place.

Act Three: Gerald is recovering in the forest, with Hadji watching over him, when Lakme arrives. They hear singing far in the distance, and Lakme tells Gerald it’s a band of lovers going to drink from a sacred spring whose waters confer the gift of eternal love. Lakme wants to get water from the spring herself, and when she leaves, Gerald’s friend Frederic turns up. He reminds Gerald that he’s been ordered to a new post, far away. Gerald knows he must fulfill his duty and leave Lakme behind.

When Lakme returns from the spring, she senses what’s happening. Knowing she’s about to lose Gerald, she finds a flower that’s known to be poisonous and swallows it. Overwhelmed by her act of devotion, Gerald drinks from the cup of sacred spring water. Doing so is a holy declaration of love — a vow of fidelity that even Nilakantha can’t revoke. The poisonous blossom takes effect, and Lakme dies in Gerald’s arms as her father looks on.