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Les Pêcheurs de perles
Opera in 3 acts
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by
Eugène Cormon
& Michel Carré
First Performance: Théâtre-Lyrique, Paris, 30 September 1863
Cast:
Leila,
priestess Soprano
Nadir, fisherman Tenor
Zurga, king Baritone
Nourabad, high priest Bass
Chorus: SATTBB
Ballet: In Act III ii
Background
Synopsis
Zurga
is made chief of a band of pearl divers. He welcomes return of his
boyhood friend, Nadir, who left many years before to make his living as
a hunter. Nourabad, the high priest, introduces a woman from another
island, who will remain veiled for a year and by her prayers and singing
drive evil spirits away from the fishing boats. Nadir recognizes Lelia,
a Brahman priestess with whom both he and Zurga have been in love: he
has been seeking her in all his wanderings.
Leila also recognizes him, and the two meet at night in the ruined
temple. Nourabad surprises them and condemns them to death. Zurga will
not help, but when Leila gives him a necklace he had once given her for
saving him from an angry crowd, he realizes who she is, and in spite of
his love for her, helps her and Nadir to escape. He is killed by the
angry priests.
Libretto
Links
Last updated: January 22, 2008