Lakme [Blu-ray]

Wonderful production, great image and audio quality - and region free
Leo Delibes, a late nineteenth century French composer most well known today for two ballets, the effervescent Coppélia and the bucolic Sylvia, and two numbers from his only opera still in the repertory. One of these is a duet for two women, immortalized in film in Tony Scotts 1983 The Hunger, and it is without a doubt the most sensuous duet of it kind this side of Venus, for love and loyalty is what it is about. In the opera it is sung by a princess and her slave; and it is thus in Tony Scott's movie, though in the film it is heard on the soundtrack while a vampire queen played by Catherine Deneuve seduces scientist Susan Sarandon. The other number in the opera is Lakme's scintillating and impossibly difficult "Bell Song" (Où va la jeune Hindoue?). A coloratura showpiece, in the hands (!) of a Mado Robin or Lily Pons, it is a marvel. I can't say why but I really didn't think Miss Matthews would pull it off. But she's rather good, despite that she's older and more...

Much to like...
I'm inclined to be generous having waited so long for a production of Lakme in full screen with high-resolution picture and sound. For the most part, I'm not disappointed. Emma Mattthews is petite and attractive, with a glorious, note-perfect coloratura. The sets are quite nice combined with thoughtful touches of stage craft. Much attention to authenticity in the costumes adds a sense of beauty and realism.

However, the ballet sequences, so appealing in the earlier Sutherland version, have been totally excised. Also, the acting, casting on the part of the male lead, Gerald (Aldo di Toro) is dismal. He has a lovely voice, but he acts as though he happened to pass by and was asked to come on stage to sing with no thought, preparation whatsoever. He might be forgiven in the sense that the story of Lakme and Gerald falling in love with no prelude, no development is itself pretty thin. But all the more need for thoughtful direction in making the most of this scene, which...

The waiting was worthwhile
There aren't many versions of this beautiful opera on DVD and, as far as I know, this is the only one on BluRay. Waiting for it was worthwhile although this production is not exceptional. The big surprise is Emma Matthews, she acts and she signs beautifully. The famous duet of Lakme and Malika is a treat, as well as the Bell Song. The rest of the cast is OK but not thrilling. This is filmed in front of a live audience, so some of the scenes look not so great in terms of illumination. The settings correspond to the composer and librettist ideas and are a delight to watch. Overall, a very nice experience worth buying the BlueRay version. I just hope other Opera houses will stage and record Lakme in the near future.

Click to Editorial Reviews