Delibes, Leo: Lakme

Lakme by Leo Delibes
Cast: Joan Sutherland, Gabriel Bacquier, Jane Berbie, Emile Belcourt, Alain Vanzo, Gwenyth Annear, Claud Cales, Josephte Clement & Monica Sinclair, with the Monte Carlo Opera Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Richard Bonynge
Libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille
Label: Decca
Catalogue number: SET 387-9
Country of Issue: UK
Date: 1968
Stereo
Analogue
Format: LP Boxed Set (3 discs plus booklet)
Label design: Decca type 2 FFSS (purple)
Discs: EX,  very clean.but there are shelf scuffs on the bottom edge
Inner sleeves: original, polylined, VG+
Booklet: full size 36pp, perfect mint condition. Full libretto in French and English and excellent historical notes and biographies.

This item is in generally excellent condition, with usage marks as described above. Acquired by us in 2007 as part of a large collection but never played since.  The recording  has been reissued many times but this is the original 1968 pressing and a genuine classic.   Selling for £45 in mint condition,  the discs here are   almost as new though certainly have been played. 

Lake has had many detractors in its lifetime but also champions: after its premiere, Henri Lavoix wrote that it was 'dazzling from the first night on... the score is often winning, always distinguished.'   It's thought to be an opera which needs a real primadonna of exceptional talent to bring out its richness and Joan Sutherland certianly fits that bill and is probably resonsible for the relative popularity  that Lakme enjoys today.