Delibes: Lakmé - Duo des fleurs (Flower Duet), Sabine Devieilhe & Marianne Crebassa 

The first time I heard this was about 25 yrs ago. It was a cloudy cold late November day. I was driving my car and turned on the radio. A very light fluffy snow started coming down ever so gently. The snow flakes were the size of quarters and seemed to defy gravity. It was so surreal just witnessing this weather phenomenon. Then this particular duet started to chime in. The two sinced together at the same time. It was what I would equate to a religious experience. My heart was taken back. Something in the ethereal world had placed me in the moment to witness both the weather and the music dancing together as one. I’ll never forget that day.

This man out here conducting with a PENCIL. And these gorgeous women in their Sunday comfy wear just absolutely pulling on my every heart string... Utterly divine

Happy and blessed to be one of the 19 people who have watched this about 1 million times.

I'm a 50 yr old contractor, GenX, biker, metal head, blue collar guy and this is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.❤

If they don't play this at my funeral, I'm not coming

They both shine because they don't try to over-sing the other one.

Absolute perfection. It's like your ears are being massaged with flower petals.

A routine rehearsal that turned out to be "THE BEST" the world has ever witnessed.

I have heard dozens of versions of this song. I think this performance will never be surpassed. This is as close to perfection as we'll ever experience.

When i was in Rehab last year, every saturday morning i woke up and listened to this masterpiece. Now being 13 months clean, i still listen to it every saturday morning. It gives me so much peace.

When you hear something of that beauty, it revives in me that perhaps there is hope for humankind.

I've always loved this duet, but what makes this one of my top five to watch, is the casual dress mixed with absolute brilliance. Everything and everyone in this video is a genius at what they do.

The balance is exquisite -- it's so easy for the soprano to dominate in this duet, but here she is playing the character, not just singing the aria, and lets the mezzo through. Superb musicianship, and a true duet partner. Her tone and delivery of 'bleu' just before the reprise of the chorus for the last time takes my breath away every time. Stunning singing. And Marianne Crebassa is the perfect foil, authoritative without dominating, supporting the soprano line and allowing her to float it effortlessly without having to compete. Roth supports them sensitively, and the period ensemble make it intimate. I think they knew they had it in the bag after this take

It’s almost like it can’t be real. Such control, poise, elegance, just absolutely beautiful

One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. It transcends time and space. We’re so fortunate to have the ability to rewatch this at our leisure.

Im a norwegian pig farmer and I love this song. . and so do my pigs, too.

The word "duet" has now been officially defined.

This is the most flawless Flower Duet I’ve ever heard

This is what heaven is going to sound like.

Since I first heard this Duet, I listen to it every day because it reminds me of my Mother who passed away in 2018. She worked at the Croatian National Theater as a cleaner, but she took me with her every time there was an opera or play on the schedule. I have seen a lot of operas and plays in that theater, but I have never heard such a good "Duet"...❤

It looks like I wandered onto the good part of RU-vid again.....

Without introduction or fanfare, I played this video on the big screen for my 3rd grade students. There were a few giggles and rolled eyes but, as the piece continued, my students saw how special this recording was to me. The following day I played it again, this time with some biographical info on the singers and opera in general. There were no giggles. The following day I played it once more. The children (8 yrs old) shared smiles with me and each other during each chorus. On the 4th day, at the library, the children insisted that we share the piece with our librarian. The children introduced the song to her, named the singers and gave a brief summary of the story. When the music began, there was not a fidget, wiggle, or sound in the room except for the sublime music they had come to love. ps They also love Ella Fitzgerald and Esmeralda Spalding. :-) but not like they love this duet.

This left me with goosebumps, tears running and breathless....OUT OF THIS WORLD!!

The exquisite voices of Sabine Devieilhe and Marianne Crebassa elevate this duet to a whole new level. Their harmonies blend seamlessly, for an ethereal and captivating performance. This duet truly showcases the beauty and artistry of operatic soprano singing. Bravo!

I'm obsessed with that mezzo. The first time I hear the mezzo outshines the soprano... Not an easy thing to do cause this soprano is sublime.

Am i the only one who watches this multiple times a week...?

In my opinion this is the most beautiful performance of any song ever…..Thank you ladies xx

Possibly the most gorgeous song ever composed ever and this duet is amazing!

I love the contrast of how casually they are dressed and at the same time singing like angels 💐

I do not understand a single word but it's the most beautiful song I have ever heard.

The best version ever.

this is the result of two magnificent singers not trying to outperform each other but letting each other shine. and shine they do!

I just can’t get over how beautiful this is. I always cry when they start singing together. And oh my god, their voices blend so perfectly, it’s unbelievable!

*FINALLY AFTER YEARS OF SEARCHING I FOUND THE NAME OF THE SONG*

I love Crebassa! She is one of the few incredible singers of today!

Sabine Devieilhe's voice is the sound the light that sparks on a crystal makes.

I love that their voices aren't so big and heavy like the larger more mature voices we so often hear sing this. They are fresh and light like the flowers they're singing about. So tantalizing!

I feel sorry for these two girls and musicians having to singing and playing hours and hours as i replay this over and over again

Personally this is the definitive! Orchestra, conductor and singers seperated by zero, when it flows! Perfect enunciation a relaxed ensemble of time stopping brilliance, sabine and marianne push each other with affection and the confidence of their abilities. I dont think i will ever listen to a better version!

Easily my favourite performance of this song. These two ladies compliment each other so much with their exquisite voices. I'll never tire of listening to it

this is so beautiful. I cried. that mezzo. my heart stopped when she started singing. I feel privileged to have heard this.

20 years ago today, my wife and myself walked down the isle to this sung by two friends of ours from the philharmonic. Today I sit and listen to this with very mixed feelings, pain of loss as my wife died suddenly two months ago, and yet the joy of the day we married.

Every time I see Sabine Devieilhe I can't help but think she is an elvish princess. Along with her angelic soprano voice, she is slight and her ears peek out of her long, blond hair.

The most beautiful rendition I have ever heard, I keep coming back time after time to lose myself in the magic of their voices.

My God, this has to be one of the most beautiful duets in all of opera. This rendition in particular is just breathtakingly gorgeous. I never tire of watching it. Brave, ladies. Bravissime.

I'm in love with the mezzo. The casual way she sings perfectly, the way she carries herself wearing those casual clothes, she makes it look so easy, like an everyday singing practice.

My brain can’t comprehend how peoples voices can reach such high notes and make it sound so appealing to my ears. The whole entire middle part made me feel so weird in a good way

Oh mon Dieu! what beauty! This brought tears to my eyes, once again. When my son was 5 years old, this part of the opéra played on Arte TV here in France, while he was playing with his toys. He stopped, let his toys go and dropped to his knees in front of the TV, and just stayed mesmerized by the music... It was just an heavenly moment and since then, every time I hear that part of the opera, I just cry with tears of joy...

I love how Marriane looks like she just popped in for a minute to help out with the duet piece. Such stunningly beautiful voices.

It's strange to see two women, dressed like you and I, in such ordinary clothes, singing with such extraordinary, operatic beauty!!

I have heard so many versions of this duet and this is by far the best.

This duett is just fking excellence! I listened to it hundred of times and I will still listen to it when im 80.

Quite possibly the most stunning piece of French music ever composed.

absolutely gorgeous version of the song. Those two ladies have such perfect voices. I must have listened to this 20 times today alone..

1:06 this part takes me to the deepest ground of my soul... I can't believe yet I could find this sublime "opus" while still in life...🥺❤️

So beautiful, so natural! This is the way a duet should be sung, not one person trying to be heard more than the other.

Yesterday afternoon my father passed away while listening to this video. It is so very beautiful, and such a lovely piece to remember him by. Thank you to all those involved in its recording.

When the world is utterly insane I return to this wonderful piece. I’m crying.

Air. Softened tone. Playful calibration of volume and rythmic agility. Crisp diction and sustained lines without strain and unnecessary bravura. Sheer palpable joy of singing that music and playing it together is a marvel of musicality. Am I dreaming? No. That is just a group of really and fully engaged musicians that are in love with material. Kudos to conductor François-Xavier Roth and his orchestra Les Siècles - for creation the hypnotic sonic atmosphere that evokes the trance-like state of suspended reality in listener. A lot of singers do that duet for its obvious beauty. But to make it anew to glow and shimmer in warm burnished tones - that requires a special sensibility and possession of means to express it. These two marvellous ladies stands out from the crowd of many even famous performers that took this duet on. Sabine Devieilhe & Marianne Crebassa seem to win it. That unshowy commited to music attitude is a rarity at any time anywhere. Mesmerizing sensuos sonic experience that uniqely delivered by engagement of all of this duet's performers - is the evidence of their artistic commitment. It's a good enough reason to be grateful for the opportunity of being transported for 6 minutes to something that closely resembles outer spheres. Merci, merci, merci...

J'ai entendu de nombreuses version de cet extraordinaire duo, mais cette interprétation dépasse toutes les autres par l'accord quasi parfait des deux voix. Tout y est l'immense qualité du chant mais aussi l'émotion intense. La magnifique voix, si émouvante, de Sabine Devieilhe y est ici sublimée par la très belle et chaude voix de Marianne Crebassa. J'adore! Bravo et merci mesdames pour ce moment de bonheur absolu!

This has the clearest diction I’ve ever heard for this piece. Kudos for the ladies letting each other shine.

Their voices fit so perfectly together. I can't believe how perfect this sounds. How does it sound so perfect?

I don‘t know the first thing about opera, but this song is so devine. I get goosebumps everytime i listen to it.

its what flowers would sound like if they sang

The power and softness of the mezzo's voice is at least stunning

These voices together are like fine crystal and silk velvet... perfect. That Mezzo.... her voice is like a kiss.

Absolutely wonderful !! "Sous le dôme épais Où le blanc jasmin À la rose s'assemble Sur la rive en fleurs Riant au matin Viens, descendons ensemble Doucement glissons De son flot charmant Suivons le courant fuyant Dans l'onde frémissante D'une main nonchalante Viens, gagnons le bord Où la source dort et L'oiseau, l'oiseau chante Sous le dôme épais Où le blanc jasmin Ah, descendons Ensemble Sous le dôme épais Où le blanc jasmin À la rose s'assemble Sur la rive en fleurs Riant au matin Viens, descendons ensemble Doucement glissons De son flot charmant Suivons le courant fuyant Dans l'onde frémissante D'une main nonchalante Viens, gagnons le bord Où la source dort et L'oiseau, l'oiseau chante Sous le dôme épais Où le blanc jasmin Ah, descendons Ensemble"

The blend of all the voices is the thing. It's what makes this version my absolute fave. So perfect - I cry every time.

Every hair on my arms is standing up. Wow. This is not a song; it is an experience!

The mezzo added the perfect finesse to this piece. My ears heard beauty today!

I'm not a highly sophisticated individual, so forgive my vernacular: this is a f***ing banger. 10/10

By far ...the BEST version I've ever heard. Divine ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

How on Earth or any other planet for that matter, do two human beings open their mouths and such stunning beauty come out? Their entire body language just reeked of balance and partnership. I too have heard this piece many times but this, oh this I just wanted the camera to stay only with the magicians somehow conjuring true delight, literally from thin air. Thank you both.

The sound of their two voices together is like getting a big hug and being told everything's going to be OK. What a much needed feeling right now...

I think what can’t be understated is the work of the sound engineers. They didn’t simply recreate what it would sound like to be in the audience. The built a new soundscape from the ground up, something that has no real-world parallel but sounds natural all the while.

This brings tears to my eyes. Angelic voices like. 🙏🎶🎼

The soprano possess a very beautiful well balanced voice, superb technique.... but the mezzo stole my heart. Will never forget her out of the world mesmerizing voice.

I love the clarity of the sopranos voice along with the warmth of the mezzo. Makes for a perfect performance!

FANTASTICHE. INTERPRETAZIONE SUBLIME.!!. NON MI STANCO MAI DI GUARDARLO.

Over the past 5 years I've listened to this at least 100 times! It just makes me so happy🍁 Bravo, beautiful ladies👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

That Mezzo absolutely killed it.. i mean they both did, but often the Soprano would steal the show in a production like this

An old man, on a Spanish mountain, has tears of joy running down his face. Sublime !

This is music to get lost in. I have heard many beautiful versions of this song. These two wonderfully talented women and orchestra have presented the most beautiful version I have ever heard. Thank you ♥️

This masterpiece work of art by all involved was posted 6 years ago. I'm pretty sure I have had the good fortune to be listening to this copy for 4 of those years. I fell in love with this duet over 20 years ago and have enjoyed it each time. I must admit this is my favorite version of all. I even bought the album! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this gift!

I love the way these two ladies look. They look as if they have just picked the kids up from school, told them to sit quiet while they have a bit of a sing song, brilliant.

It’s 2am and I’m trying not to scream at how amazing this is

This is the best version I have ever heard. Not trying to sing better than the other. Just pure talent

Goosebump classic that deserves a long standing ovation. Thank you both and the wonderful orchestra ensemble.

"the recording will be on tape" Conductor: " then I will conduct with a green pencil"

My God I've found it. I've finally found it

I love listening to these two. I have tried listening to others sing this song but no one compares

This is the single most beautiful song in the world.

WOW!!!!! THAT MEZZO-SOPRANO'S VOICE !!!!! IT'S PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This song shows exactly the beauty and difference of voices between a soprano and a mezzo-soprano, just perfection! And I think they're both french, the accent is very natural

Ещё раз убеждаюсь, что голос - это такой же инструмент, как скрипка или любой другой!!! Браво певицам!!! Настоящий дуэт, брависсимо!!!

Dieu que c'est beau. Merci à vous toutes et à tous. Merci, merci ... la beauté à l'état pure!!

The fact that this was just rehearsal makes it even more perfect 😍

Lakmé: Viens, Mallika, les lianes en fleurs Jettent déjà leur ombre Sur le ruisseau sacré qui coule, calme et sombre, Eveillé par le chant des oiseaux tapageurs. Mallika: Oh! maîtresse, c'est l'heure où je te vois sourire, L'heure bénie où je puis lire Dans le coeur toujours fermé De Lakmé! Lakmé: Dôme épais le jasmin Mallika: Sous le dôme épais où le blanc jasmin L.: À la rose s'assemble, M.: À la rose s'assemble, L.: Rive en fleurs, frais matin, M.: Sur la rive en fleurs, riant au matin, L.: Nous appellent ensemble. M.: Viens, descendons ensemble. L.: Ah! glissons en suivant M.: Doucement glissons; De son flot charmant L.: Le courant fuyant; M.: Suivons le courant fuyant; L.: Dans l'onde frémissante, M.: Dans l’onde frémissante, L.: D'une main nonchalante, M.: D’une main nonchalante, L.: Gagnons le bord, M.: Viens, gagnons le bord L.: Où l'oiseau chante, M.: Où la source dort. L.: l'oiseau, l'oiseau chante. M.: Et l’oiseau, l’oiseau chante. L.: Dôme épais, blanc jasmin, M.: Sous le dôme épais, Sous le blanc jasmin, L.: Nous appellent ensemble! M.: Ah! descendons ensemble! L.: Mais, je ne sais quelle crainte subite s’empare de moi. Quand mon père va seul à leur ville maudite, Je tremble, je tremble d'effroi! M.: Pour que le Dieu Ganeça le protège, Jusqu'à l'étang où s'ébattent joyeux Les cygnes aux ailes de neige, Allons cueillir les lotus bleus. L.: Oui, près des cygnes aux ailes de neige, Allons cueillir les lotus bleus. L: Dôme épais le jasmin M: Sous le dôme épais où le blanc jasmin L.: À la rose s'assemble, M.: À la rose s'assemble, L.: Rive en fleurs, frais matin, M.: Sur la rive en fleurs, riant au matin, L.: Nous appellent ensemble. M.: Viens, descendons ensemble. L.: Ah! glissons en suivant M.: Doucement glissons; De son flot charmant L.: Le courant fuyant; M.: Suivons le courant fuyant; L.: Dans l'onde frémissante, M.: Dans l’onde frémissante, L.: D'une main nonchalante, M.: D’une main nonchalante, L.: Gagnons le bord, M.: Viens, gagnons le bord L.: Où l'oiseau chante, M.: Où la source dort. L.: l'oiseau, l'oiseau chante. M.: Et l’oiseau, l’oiseau chante. L.: Dôme épais, blanc jasmin, M.: Sous le dôme épais, Sous le blanc jasmin, L.: Nous appellent ensemble! M.: Ah! descendons ensemble!

❤❤Необыкновенной красоты 2 голоса и гениальная музыка Лакмэ. Удовольствие это слышать на грани фантастики.Спасибо

i'm so blessed with the fact that i was born as a music lover that loves not just one genre. I can jump off a stage at a death metal concert,and i can have tears from emotion roll down my cheeks at the opera house. No music,no life! 🎶🎶♥🎶🎶