On 16 November the New Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre is set to host a vibrant opera premiere – Lakmé by Delibes, directed by Sergei Novikov. The performance is a part of the IX St Petersburg International Cultural Forum, featuring leading roles by Aigul Khismatullina, Boris Stepanov, Egor Chubakov, and Maharram Huseynov.
This composition first graced the stage of the Parisian Théâtre de l'Opéra-Comique 140 years ago, with its Mariinsky premiere following just a year later in 1884. The renowned European composer Léo Delibes crafted this opera on commission, at a time when oriental themes were highly fashionable in the arts. Beyond the exotic portrayal of an unfamiliar culture, they often included the tragic narrative of impossible love between individuals from two different worlds.
The story of the feelings between a Brahmin's daughter and a British officer was warmly received by audiences. However, today, the title Lakmé is less widely recognized. Although it features in the repertoires of leading theatres worldwide, it is performed less frequently than in the past. Until the 2022 Krasnoyarsk premiere this opera had only been presented in Russia in a semi-staged version at the Mariinsky Theatre.
Audiences will soon witness a new full-scale production created in collaboration with the Krasnoyarsk D. A. Khvorostovsky State Opera and Ballet Theatre. Director Sergei Novikov has relocated the setting from late 19th-century British India to a contemporary metropolis – a hub where diverse cultures intersect and interact. Today, the composition is seen not just as an exotic love story but as an important lesson in respecting each other's traditions and cultures.
"Our production departs from the original setting and time period but also narrates the clash between Western and Eastern mentalities. Today, this boundary between hemispheres doesn't just run along a meridian but exists in every metropolis where nationalities, ethnicities, and beliefs intertwine," notes Sergei Novikov.
Valery Gergiev is the musical director of the production. The artistic team includes set and costume designer Maria Vysotskaya, lighting designer Ruslan Mayorov, and video designer Dmitry Ivanchenko.
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