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Lakme' is the daughter of Nilakantha the Brahma, a high Hindu priest, and she is thought to have a direct connection with the Indian gods for her people. The English have invaded India and find their religion and culture "uncivilized." One soldier, Gerald, becomes entranced by the beautiful forbidden voice of Lakme'. She in turn cannot deny her sacrilegious passion for this man who embodies the evil forces that are crushing her father and their faith. Nilakantha finds out and tries to kill Gerald. Lakme' nurses him back to health, but Gerald's fellow solider reminds him that his duty is to his country. Lakme', unable to live with out Gerald, kills herself with a poisonous flower.
Unlike Theatre, I suppose I should not expect to find well developed characters in Opera, because the song is the thing, not the play. However, I was disappointed in the lack of depth projected by most of the cast. Lakme's father, Nilakantha the Brahma, was a one-dimensional, overpowering vengeful father. The three English ladies, a milder version of the three stooges, acted only as a dash of comic relief. Betty Allen as Rose was the only one of the lot that could emote as well as sing.
The principals were outstanding. Daniel Hendrick's (Gerald) wonderfully light tenor voice was quite enchanting, especial during the third act. Dennis Jesse as Frederic took time to shine in the third as well and showed exceptional range in song as well as expression.
The best moment was the duet of the "Flower Duet" with Robin Lee Parkin's Lakme' and her assistant, Mallika, played by Donna Ames. Their two voices blended beautifully and continue to flutter in my head.
Parkin was quite amazing. Many times during the three hour production she exhibited phenomenal control in breath, volume, and pitch. During the famous "Bell Song," she showed no signs of weakness as she vacillated between notes at a torturous rate, yet still hit every one head on. All this while dancing in authentic Indian Bharata Natya style.
My only strong complaints would be stagnation and pacing. Symphony Hall hosts a very large stage and many times there was only one performer on stage, off to the right, left or very far upstage, and it was difficult to connect or to "lose oneself." While the first and third acts seemed balanced, the second act painfully dragged. There were some moments of excitement, the brightly costumed Indian dancers that performed and the fabulous "Bell Song", but what little action there was moved too slowly.
As for production values, the sets filled the hall nicely although the lighting was sometimes too dark. The orchestra at times overpowered some of the singers, mainly Mareena Boosamra who portrayed Mrs. Benson. While the translating screen above the stage was helpful for those of us ignorant to the French language, it also contributed to yanking the audience out of the state of disillusionment.
Save for the second act, I enjoyed Arizona Opera's interpretation of Lakme'. In the end, the score, beautifully played by their orchestra under the direction of Michel Singher, with wonderful voices of accompaniment, was this drama's brightest star.
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