![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The story and libretto are rather mediocre, but the 24-year-old Bizet set the text to exquisite music. The two lovers are scheduled to be executed for their transgressions, but Zurga saves them when he distracts the villagers by setting the town on fire, thereby sealing his own fate. Ultimately Nadir succumbs to his longing for Leïla, and the priestess falls in love with him as well. Zurga and Nadir have pledged allegiance to one another, promising to honor their friendship and forgo their amorous pursuit of the mysterious Leïla. The fourth solo role in the opera is Nourabad, the high priest who guides and instructs Leïla. The story takes place in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in ancient times (Lyric’s production sets the story in the 19th century), and tells of a love triangle among Zurga, the man elected leader of the pearl fishers, Nadir, Zurga’s friend who recently returned from a series of grand adventures, and Leïla, the priestess whom both men have fallen in love with. One notable exception was the critic Hector Berlioz, who wrote that the opera was “full of fire” and commented on the great number of extremely beautiful musical moments. Lyric Opera of Chicago’s The Pearl Fishers – Opera History and Storyįirst performed at the Théâtre-Lyrique in Paris on September 30, 1863, Georges Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers ( Les Pêcheurs de Perles) was immensely popular with audiences, but much less so with critics. There were no weak links in this Lyric production: the phenomenal vocal performances struck emotional chords again and again Zandra Rhodes vibrant sets and costumes charmed the eye and the orchestral colors from Sir Andrew Davis’ treatment of Bizet’s wonderful instrumentation were a delight to the ear. It’s one of those infectious earworms that elicits a raw sentimental response, hitting you in the gut and bringing tears to your eyes. ![]() I left the Lyric Opera House humming “Au fond du temple saint” after watching Lyric Opera of Chicago’s The Pearl Fishers, and I woke up the next morning to find that the tune was still in my head. Opera Sense recommended recordings of The Pearl Fishers: ![]()
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