Djamileh is an opéra comique in one act by Georges Bizet to a libretto by Louis Gallet, based on an oriental tale, Namouna, by Alfred de Musset.

In 1871 when Bizet was stalled on other projects for the stage, Camille du Locle, director of the Opéra-Comique suggested to him a piece written some years earlier by Louis Gallet based on Namouna.

After some hesitation, Bizet composed the work during the late summer of 1871 but the premiere production was delayed due to trouble in finding suitable singers.

[3] Bizet had wanted Galli-Marié (the first Carmen) or Marguerite Priola to create the title role - both were singing in the Paladilhe piece, but was obliged to take instead the inadequate Prelly.

Although du Locle had lavished great care on the costumes and sets, after ten performances in 1872 it was not revived in Paris until 27 October 1938.

[2] At the end of day the caliph Haroun reclines and smokes in his palace, with his servant Splendiano; an off-stage chorus sing.

The offstage chorus evoking sunset over the Nile, the changing moods of Haroun, and Splendiano's witty couplets (the latter more traditional opéra comique fare) are evidence of Bizet's growing musical powers.

In his portrayal of Djamileh, his music looks forward to Ravel rather than back to Gounod; indeed much of Bizet's harmony baffled contemporary Parisian critics.