Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille, Delibes' two librettists, transform [Puccini's Madama Butterfly] pathetic love story into a dramatic tale of hatred, blood and racism. In an India colonised by the English, the buddhist Nilakantha renders homage to his god in the company of his daughter Lakme. Soon after two English officers, Gerald and Frederic, break into their sacred garden. The young priestess and Gerald immediately fall in love but Nilakantha, discovering the fact that the sacred garden has been profaned, swears vengeance... — Sergio Segalini (trans. Timothy Alan Shaw)
