Lakmé

Act 1

British India, second half of the 19th century.

In Brahmin Nilakantha's garden, Hindus are gathered for the ritual prayer to Brahma. Their fervor comforts the Brahmin priest whose spiritual prestige is threatened by the occupying British. He has made his daughter Lakmé, raised in the purest faith, the interpreter of divine will and an idol for the dominated people.

Lakmé and her attendant Mallika feel secure within the temple's enclosure. Yet, as soon as they go in search of lotuses, a group of English burst in through the fence. They are two young women, Ellen and Rose, with their governess, Miss Bentson, and two officers. Frédéric, cautious and aware of the gap between the two communities, speaks of Nilakantha and Lakmé. The latter's beauty gives rise to a hot debate about the image of women in Europe and the Orient, then about the various forms of love. The conclusion is that all Indians are idealistic and entirely absorbed in their passions. Somewhat frightened, the women want to leave but Rose sees magnificent jewels. Gérald offers to make a drawing of them so that she can wear them for their wedding.

Left alone, the officer is overcome by the charm of the place and realizes he has desecrated sacred objects. On her return, while unsettled for the first time by nature's call, Lakmé encounters the sacrilegious Englishman. She is about to drive him away but Gérald's emotion touches her. Love springs instantly despite all that which separates them. Gérald flees as Nilakantha appears and calls the Hindus to avenge dishonor.

Act 2

After the march of a regiment of British fifers, the market opens at the town's square. Lost among merchants, Miss Bentson meets the other Britons again with relief. Frédéric understands that Gérald is disturbed by Lakmé, and Rose that the officers' departure for intervention is imminent. They attend three dances performed by bayaderes: a terana, a rektah, a persian.

In the audience are a Hindu penitent and a songstress, Nilakantha and Lakmé, now intent on revenge. Guessing that the garden intruder loves his daughter, Nilakantha forces Lakmé to sing. She reluctantly sings the Legend of the pariahs' daughter. Frédéric cannot prevent Gérald from revealing himself. With a group of conspirators, Nilakantha instigates Gérald's murder and sends Lakmé away by entrusting her to his servant Hadji.

Gérald manages to rejoin Lakmé who entreats him to convert to her religion so as to avoid punishment. Gérald is almost won over by her conviction. A procession of Brahmins and bayaderes go to the temple of the goddess Durga followed by a crowd of Hindus and curious British. Nilakantha overhears Gérald's confession to Frédéric and makes a sign to the conspirators to stab him. Left for dead, they abandon the young Englishman rescued by Lakmé who takes him to the forest with the help of Hadji.

Act 3

In the heart of the forest, Lakmé nurses Gérald, content to have him all for herself. They celebrate their happiness to be united, forgotten by their communities. Lakmé wishes to initiate Gérald to her gods and the rituals of lovers who unite at a sacred spring nearby. Reassured about his state, she fetches a cup of water for their union to be sealed.

But Frédéric finds Gérald and wakens him from his dream so that he can face his soldier's duty. Gérald promises to rejoin his regiment. On coming back, Lakmé senses his change of attitude. She requests an oath from him but Gérald is disturbed by the passing regiment afar.

Rather than renouncing her dream, Lakmé kills herself by eating a datura flower. Inflamed by her fortitude, Gérald drinks with her and takes a sincere but vain oath: death binds them. There is nothing Nilakantha can do for her and Gérald, who drank from the sacred cup, evades his vengeance. The Brahmin solemnizes the union of her daughter with the gods.