Les pêcheurs de perles

Three-act opera (1863) by Georges Bizet with text by Michel Carré and Eugène Cormon In the backdrop of a distant island paradise, Georges Bizet portrays a love triangle complicated by true friendship: Longtime friends Zurga and Nadir were once threatened by the love for the Brahman Leïla. Although both men had sworn to renounce the beautiful young woman, neither their promise nor Leïla's vow of chastity can prevent them from being overpowered by desire upon their reunion. When the pair is caught by the high priest, Zurga as leader of the pearl fishermen is to pass judgment on the two perjurers. Torn between friendship and jealousy, a desire for revenge and duty, Zurga wavers ... Twelve years before the success of Carmen, the 25-year-old Bizet achieved a breakthrough with his pearl fishers as an opera composer. The exotic subject matter inspired him to create a score with vibrant instrumentation, moving melodies, and effective theater music that unfolds in grand choral tableaus as well as in intimate scenes between the protagonists. The dramatic as well as musical pivot is the famous duet 'Au fond du temple saint' of Zurga and Nadir – a pearl of operatic literature, which ultimately led to the revival of the today still rarely performed opera. On a beach in the Indian Ocean. As every year during this season, the diving for precious pearls begins, and the fishermen have gathered around their leader Zurga. With their songs, they ask the gods for protection from danger and from the wrath of nature. Then Nadir appears, who has left the community of pearl fishers years ago and has traveled the world since then. The returning one is warmly welcomed by all, especially by Zurga, with whom he has been friends since childhood. We learn that this bond was about to break apart years ago when they fell in love with the same unknown woman during their last joint journey. To avoid becoming enemies, they had decided to renounce love for this 'Goddess' forever. In memory of this experience, the two men renew their bond. Nadir seems hesitant ... Shortly afterwards: The community waits for the arrival of a priestess who is to sing and pray for the well-being of the pearl fishers, to appease the gods and banish evil spirits. The high priest Nourabad leads the veiled woman finally to the beach. Zurga takes the unknown woman's vow to live in seclusion and without a man during her stay, dedicating herself entirely to her task. As reward, she expects the most valuable pearl, but breaking this promise would mean death for her. Nadir already knows who the veiled priestess is, and he has come for her. And she recognizes him for a moment and is deeply shocked. Zurga, who notices her sudden panic, offers her to withdraw from her vow before it's too late, but she holds firm and makes the vow. The pearl fishers call upon Brahma as evening approaches ... Nadir is tormented by guilt. He should have confessed to Zurga that he had broken his promise years ago and secretly met with this woman, Leïla. Since then, their forbidden love has grown. And now Nadir betrays his friend again by following the lover to this place. He didn't know that Leïla was here on a mission that put both of them in mortal danger.