Les Pêcheurs de Perles, (The Pearl Fishers) an opera by Georges Bizet. Pearl Fishers cast of characters, Pearl fishers opera plot, & recommended Bizet Pearl Fishers cds.
Georges Bizet’s first opera, Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers), though not as popular as his opera Carmen, it still is performed around the world. It is a French opera with a libretto by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré. Bizet wrote the work when he was 25 and it was first performed in 1863 at the Théâtre-Lyrique in Paris in 1863. Pearl Fishers is set in an exotic location and has several beautiful arias, duets and ensembles. Most memorable is the first act duet between Zuriga and Nadir, Au fond du temple saint, considered one of the most beautiful and popular duets in operatic literature. The Opera takes place in Ceylon, which is now Sri Lanka and is in 3 acts.
Characters in the Pearl Fishers:
- Zurga, King of the pearl fishers (baritone)
- Nadir, childhood friend of Zuriga and a pearl fisher (tenor)
- Leïla, a priestess (soprano)
- Nourabad, high priest (bass)
The Plot of the Pearl Fishers:
- Act I - Zurga is elected as king by the pearl fishers. They all await the arrival of a veiled priestess, who is to protect them. Nadir, Zurga’s childhood friend, arrives. At one time both Zurga and Nadir had been in-love with the same girl, Leïla. They both agree to put aside their past love for Leïla and swear upon their friendship. The priestess arrives and is received by the high priest, Nourabad. She is reminded that she must keep her identity hidden and that she is not to take a lover. Nadir hears her and recognizes her as his love Leïla.
- Act II - The pearl fishers return to the beach in Ceylon safely. Leïla tells the high priest a story about a time when she once rescued a man. The man she saved gave her a necklace, which she still has today. Nadir, overhears this story and is convinced this is the girl that he and Zurga used to fight over. Now alone, Leïla senses that Nadir is hear, and when she does see him, their affair is instantly rekindled. She begs him to leave, as she knows that they cannot be caught together. At that moment, Nourabad catches them and identifies Nadir. The fishers all call for both of their deaths. Zurga replies that only he can order them to death. Nourabad rips off Leïla’s veil revealing her identity to all. Zurga, sees that he has been betrayed by Nadir, condemns them both to death by fire.
- Act III - That evening, Zurga is having regrets about his decision. When Leïla appears before dawn, he cannot help but reveal his own love for her. She begs him to spare Nadir and only take her life, pleading that their meeting was only by chance. Zurga tells her that he can do no such thing, because she still loves Nadir. She curses him and as the sun is coming up, the time for the execution is announced. As she is ready to die, she reveals her necklace and asks that it be given to her mother after she dies. Zurga recognizes the necklace as the one that he gave her when she rescued him. Leïla and Nadir say their final farewell. Zurga, thinking better of his actions, has lit a fire in the village as a distraction. This fire sends the pearl fishers scattering in fear and allows the lovers to escape, much to the displeasure of Nourabad.
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Recommended Pearl Fishers opera cd:
- Emi Classics Special Import Catalog #: 49837
- Performer: Barbara Hendricks, Jean-Phillipe Courtis, Gino Quilico, John Aler
- Conductor: Michel Plasson
- Orchestra/Ensemble: Toulouse Capitole Orchestra, Toulouse Capitole Chorus
The copyright of the article The Pearl Fishers – 101 in Opera Composers is owned by Bryce Westervelt. Permission to republish The Pearl Fishers – 101 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
