What is the flower duet about?

The "Flower Duet" is a popular aria from Act I of the opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes. It is a duet between the sisters, Lakmé and Mallika, and describes the beauty and fragrance of flowers in a garden. The main themes of the aria are love, nature, and sisterhood.

Libretto:

Lakmé: Sous le dôme épais des manguiers,

Les fruits ont mûri cette année.

Près des sources fraîches et dorées,

S'épanouissent toutes les fleurs.

Mallika: Aux premiers rayons du soleil,

Les oiseaux chantent leur joie.

Les abeilles butinent les fleurs,

Et le parfum s'envole au ciel.

English translation:

Lakmé: Under the thick canopy of the mango trees,

The fruits have ripened this year.

Near the cool and golden springs,

All the flowers bloom.

Mallika: At the first rays of the sun,

Birds sing their joy.

Bees buzz around the flowers,

And the perfume rises to the sky.

The "Flower Duet" is one of the most famous and beautiful duets in opera and has been performed by many famous singers.