Montserrat Caballé (Caballe) in Sofia, 4of9 - Lakmé (Flower duet), with Ina Kancheva

Caballé had invited a young Bulgarian singer, Ina Kancheva, 3rd-prize winner at the Montserrat Caballé competition for 1999. Caballé said she felt as Kancheva’s “madrina musical“, or “godmother in music“. Kancheva was 23 at the time, and full of grace. She went on to have a modest but respectable international career. Caballé dedicated a rendition of Vangelis-composed song “Like a dream“ to Ina at the end of the concert. Kancheva is Lakmé, Caballé is Mallika José Collado conducts. Lyrics for this part: LAKME 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! LES