[kenreau]

I am a Classical and Opera neophyte looking for some album recommendation(s) which include this great title.  I've got it on one of those "Best Of Classical" compiliations and just heard it on my local radio station (AllClassical.org).  Every time I hear it, I just melt.

I captured this title info from the radio station play list.  Even from an office hifi kit, it sounds magical. 

Leo Delibes
Song Title: Lakme: Dome epais... (Flower Duet)
Orchestra/Ensemble: Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
Conductor: Richard Bonynge
Artist Name/Performers: Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
Instrument/Soloist(s): Joan Sutherland, soprano; Jane Berbie, mezzo-soprano
Name of CD: London 000707102

Any concensus on the best performance, or two, to purchase?  I'm strictly in the digital domain now, including hirez formats.  I can get a needledrop done if a vinyl version reigns supreme.

Thanks
Kenreau

[woodsyi]

Lakme is good for two songs: the Flower Duet and the Bell song.    You can't go wrong with Sutherland on this one.  Lily Pons was the definitive Lakme of her generation and Dame Sutherland was in hers.  I like Mady Mesple and Natalie Dessay as well. 

Many have sung the two songs who did not do the complete opera.  Maria Callas singing the Bell Song is my voice torture track for any gear evaluation.  If she is listenable like you don't run away,  you have a "euphonic" gear.

[kenreau]

Excellent, thanks, Woodsyi!  So, is the disc the radio station used (mentioned below) the right Sutherland to chase down?

Thanks again,
Kenreau

Lakme is good for two songs: the Flower Duet and the Bell song.    You can't go wrong with Sutherland on this one.  Lily Pons was the definitive Lakme of her generation and Dame Sutherland was in hers.  I like Mady Mesple and Natalie Dessay as well. 

Many have sung the two songs who did not do the complete opera.  Maria Callas singing the Bell Song is my voice torture track for any gear evaluation.  If she is listenable like you don't run away,  you have a "euphonic" gear.

[woodsyi]

I think so.  The  knock on some of Sutherland's recording is that her husband Bonynge was not as good a conductor as others but no one can argue that he did very well in steering her career to sing gloriously for a long time.  According to this search engine all of her Lakme recordings had Bonynge conducting.  So you are better off with recordings in her prime.  In 1967 her voice was in top form but her diction troubles were there.  It really doesn't take away from her performance anyway since you probably wouldn't be too bothered by soft and mushy pronunciation on some French or Italian words.  Her voice is superb on this.  The 1976 Sidney production DVD maybe worth the splurge too if you want to see the Opera as well.  There isn't much of a dramatic storyline but it's a pretty opera.  You might like Bizet's Les Pecheurs de Perles as well.  Both are pretty operas set in the romantic Eastern setting.  The Orient was in vogue in the arts community at the time.  I am partial to this recording as she is my diva. 

Interesting rendition of a famous aria on the Pearl Fisher is this one by David Gilmore.  And here is Nicolai Gedda singing it.  Caruso too if you are interested in the magic of his voice even if it's recorded in 1904.

[CMYKjill]

I love this song. I listened to it this morning on my "best of" opera CD. Thanks for the good info.