Opera Guide and Synopsis: The Pearl Fishers, by Georges Bizet

Georges Bizet's opera Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers) premiered in Paris on September 29, 1863. The libretto was written by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré.

Characters in Les pêcheurs de perles

• Leïla, a priestess of Brahma (Soprano)
• Nadir, a pearl fisher (Tenor)
• Zurga, a chief (Baritone)
• Nourabad, high priest of Brahma (Bass)

Synopsis of Les pêcheurs de perles

The story is set in an ancient time on the island of Ceylon. In some performances, the second and third acts are performed as one.

Act I

The people of the island name Zurga as their chief. He and his friend Nadir recall how they once competed out of love for Leïla, and then swore out of their friendship to never see her again ("Au fond du temple saint"). A veiled priestess comes to the island each year to pray for them. Zurga makes a bargain with her: if she prays for them daily to ward off evil spirits and her prayers are successful, she will be given a valuable pearl. If not, however, she will die.

That night, Nadir hears the priestess's voice and recognizes her as Leïla ("Je crois entendre encore"). She makes it known that she still loves him.

Act II

Nourabad warns Leïla that the consequences of breaking her religious vows are death. She recalls that she saved a fugitive once and was given a chain in thanks ("Comme autrefois"). When Nourabad leaves, Nadir enters, and they express their love for each other in the midst of a raging storm ("Ton coeur n'a pas compris").

Nourabad has been watching the lovers, and summons the people to see that Leïla has broken her vow. When Zurga sees that it is his friend Nadir, he wishes to be merciful; but when he realizes that the priestess is Leïla, whom Nadir swore never to see again, he sentences them both to death.

Act III

Zurga regrets condemning his friend to death ("L'orage, s'est calmé"). Leïla pleads with Zurga to spare Nadir's life ("Pour moi je ne crains rien"), but Zurga expresses his love for her and his jealousy of Nadir. Before the execution, however, she gives him her chain, and he recognizes it as the one he gave the girl who protected him when he was a fugitive.

Zurga distracts the others by setting the camp on fire. While they attempt to put out the flames, he sets Leïla and Nadir free ("O lumière sainte"). Nourabad reveals his deeds, and Zurga is burned to death as punishment while the lovers escape.

Sources:

• Kobbé, Gustav. The Complete Opera Book. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.
• Mason, Henry L. Opera Stories. Boston: Henry L. Mason, 1912.
• Melitz, Leo, trans. Richard Salinger. The Opera Goer's Complete Guide. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1921.