Chelsea Opera Group present Lakmé by Léo Delibes in a concert performance in French with English surtitles on Sunday 25th February 2024 at Cadogan Hall, starting at 6PM
Conductor Matthew Scott Rogers leads Chelsea Opera Group in Delibes’s story of cross-cultural love, conflict, and death under the British Raj.
Chelsea Opera Group’s performance of Lakmé by Léo Delibes offers the rare treat of hearing the work, popular from excerpts but only infrequently put on stage, in its entirety.
Set in a time of British repression of Indian religious practices, Delibes sets out a classic story of forbidden love between cultures. Goddess-like Lakmé falls in love with the poetically minded British officer Gérald and saves him after a vengeful attack by her Brahmin priest father Nilakantha. However, when Gérald tells her he must return to his regiment, Lakmé takes her own life.
The score by Delibes is filled with delightful melodies and orchestral colours, though the gorgeous Flower Duet from Act I and the dizzying virtuosity of the Bell Song in Act II are essential listening for anyone interested in opera.
The conductor will be Matthew Scott Rogers.
Haegee Lee – Lakmé
Elgan Llŷr Thomas – Gérald
James Platt – Nilakantha
Julien Van Mellaerts – Frédéric
Polly Leech – Mallika
Lorena Paz Nieto – Miss Ellen
Caroline Carragher – Miss Rose
Sarah Pring – Mistress Bentson
Magnus Walker – Hadji
The Chelsea Opera Group Orchestra
The Chelsea Opera Group Chorus
There will be a pre-performance talk at 4:45pm in the hall free for ticket holders, to be given by Bruno Bower.
For more information and a link to book your tickets CLICK HERE.
Outstanding performance at every stage and on every level. Superb cast and orchestra at packed, beautiful Cadogan Hall. Standing ovation was the least, us audience, could offer – it has been a huge privilege and an honour to have attended this amazing opera. Pre-opera talk was excellent, insightful and informative. Enjoyed the Lakmé immensely – thank you all. It was Chelsea Opera Group at its best and its finest, as always!