There was extra drama backstage at the final performance of this lovely production. The Tag-Team Tenor Triumph of 2000 began when Vinson Cole woke up not feeling well on the morning of closing night. William Burden, who made a strong Seattle Opera debut in the second cast, had sung a brilliant show the night before—and taken a red-eye back to the East Coast! Burden took the first available flight back to Seattle; Cole sang Act One, and there was a long intermission while Burden rushed from Sea-Tac Airport to the theater to sing Acts Two and Three.

Dancers in Délibes’ Lakmé, 2000 © Gary Smith

Harolyn Blackwell (Lakmé) and Ding Gao (Nilakantha) in Délibes’ Lakmé, 2000 © Gary Smith

Vinson Cole (Gérald), Kurt Ollmann (Frédéric), Ellen McLain (Miss Rose) and Nathalie Morais (Miss Ellen) in Délibes’ Lakmé, 2000 © Gary Smith

Kathleen Hegierski (Mallika) and Harolyn Blackwell (Lakmé) in Délibes’ Lakmé, 2000 © Gary Smith

Vinson Cole (Gérald) and Harolyn Blackwell (Lakmé) in Délibes’ Lakmé, 2000 © Gary Smith

William Burden (Gérald) in Délibes’ Lakmé, 2000 © Gary Smith

Harolyn Blackwell (Lakmé) in Délibes’ Lakmé, 2000 © Gary Smith