Overview
Synopsis
A tale of love, betrayal, and sacrifice, The Pearl Fishers centers around two friends, Nadir and Zurga, who vow to never let the love of a woman come between them and destroy their friendship. A mysterious priestess arrives to Ceylon, and Nadir recognizes her as his long lost love, Leïla, whom Zurga also loves. Torn once again, Nadir must choose between the oath he made to his friend and the love of his life. Nadair and Leïla give in, but are caught, enraging Zurga who sends them to their deaths. At the last minute, remorseful, Zurga sacrifices himself, burns down the village, and allows the lovers to flee.
Show Information
- Music
- Georges Bizet
- Libretto
- Eugène Cormon , Michel Carré
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1863
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- Time & Place
- ceylon, ancient times
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Bizet had only written a few pieces before the premiere of Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers), and had not yet established himself as a composer. Bizet, while in conservatory, entered some of his works into competitions, and eventually was awarded the Prix de Rome in 1957. Due to this previous success, he was approached about a commission for the Théâtre Lyrique, where Léon Carvalho gave him the libretto written by Carré and Cormon. Bizet wrote quickly and produced the piece, ready to
to read the context for The Pearl Fishers and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act I
On the seashore of Ceylon, a group of fishermen gather and select Zurga to be their King. While they are celebrating the decision, Nadir, a fisherman, returns after having spend a year away. Zurga and Nadir, friends since childhood, greet each other fondly, and Zurga asks Nadir to stay in the village. After the fishermen leave, the two men remember what was the cause of a rift in their friendship, and drove Nadir away; they both fell in love with the same young woman, but to
to read the plot for The Pearl Fishers and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
Prélude
Act I
- Chorus: Sur la grève en feu (Chorus)
- Scene and Chorus: Amis, interrompez voz danses (Nadir, Zurga)
- Récit and Chorus Reprise: Demeure parmi nous, Nadir (Nadir, Zurga, Chorus)
- Récit and Duo: C’est toi, toi qu’enfin je revois… Au fond du temple saint (Nadir, Zurga)
- Récit and Chorus: Que voix-je?... Sois la bienvenue (Nadir, Zurga, Chorus)
- Scene and Chorus: Seule au milieu de nous (Leïla, Nadir, Zurga, Nourabad)
- Récit and Romance: A cette voix… Je crois encore entendre (Nadir)
- Scene and Chorus: Le ciel est bleu (Chorus, Nadir, Nourabad)
- Air and Chorus: O Dieu Brahma! (Leïla)
Act II
- Entr’acte and Chorus: L’ombre descend des cieux (Leïla, Nourabad, Chorus)
- Récit and Cavatine: Me voila seule dans la nuit (Leïla)
- Chanson: De mon amie (Leïla, Nadir)
- Duo: Leïla! Dieu puissant (Leïla, Nadir)
- Final: Ah! revenez à la raison (Leïla, Nadir, Zurga, Nourabad, Chorus)
Act III
Scene 1
- Entr’acte; Récit and air: L’orage s’est calme (Zurga)
- Récit: Qu’ai-je vu? (Leïla, Zurga)
- Duo: Je frémis, je chancelle (Leïla, Zurga)
- Scene: Entends au loin ce bruit de fète (Leïla, Zurga, Nourabad)
Scene 2
- Chorus Dansé: Des que le soleil (Nadir, Chorus)
- Scene and Chorus: Sombres divinités (Leïla, Nadir, Zurga, Nourabad, Chorus)
- Trio: O lumière sainte (Leïla, Nadir, Zurga)
- Final: Ce sont eux, les voici! (Leïla, Nadir, Zurga, Chorus)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
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Videos
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