Georges Bizet: The Pearl Fishers

The opera in three acts (four scenes) "The Pearl Fishers" was completed by Georges Bizet in 1863 and presented to the public at the Lyric Theatre in Paris on September 30, 1863. In Russia, the opera premiered on September 5, 1889 at the Nemetti Theatre in Ozerki, St. Petersburg.

The opera has been repeatedly staged on the stages of opera houses in our country. Among the best performers of the part of Nadir were Leonid Sobinov and Dmitry Smirnov.

The action of the opera takes place on the island of Ceylon. Two pearl fishers and childhood friends are separated by love for one woman, Leila. In order not to become enemies, they part. Leila took a vow of chastity and became a priestess in the temple; her singing drives away evil forces and helps the pearl fishers find their prey. Zurga is elected leader of the tribe. He joyfully greets Nadir who has returned. He hears the priestess's voice and recognizes his beloved. Love flares up in his heart again. Leila confirms her vow to the priest Nurabad, but her thoughts are with Nadir. It is almost impossible to get into her temple, which stands on the top of a steep cliff. But Nadir overcomes the dangers, informing Leila with a song about his approach. As soon as Nadir enters the temple, he is seized by Nurabad's order. Zurga wants to save his friend, but upon learning that the priestess who broke the vow is Leila, he decides to abandon them both to their fate. However, jealousy only momentarily captured his thoughts. When Zurga learns that it was she who once saved his life, he distracts the attention of the villagers by setting fire to their huts and frees Nadir and Leila, who manage to escape. By order of the priest, Zurga is thrown into the fire. The presented production features wonderful French singers, light, tender music performed by the National Capitol Orchestra of Toulouse under the direction of Victorien Vanooston. Choreographer Thomas Lebrun has created a production that combines the elegance of the Capitol Opera Ballet, the magic of Antoine Fontaine's sets and the splendor of David Beluga's costumes.

PERFORMERS:

National Capitol Orchestra of Toulouse (France)

Conductor - Victorien Vanooston

Choreographer - Thomas Lebrun

Ballet and Choir of the National Capitol Opera

Soloists:

Anna-Catherine Gillet

Mathias Vidal

Alexandre Duhamel

Jean-Fernand Setti

Théâtre du Capitole, Toulouse, France