Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers was our choice this month. Set in exotic Sri Lanka, Leila, a priestess, is taken to a fishing village to invoke the gods to protect the fishermen throughout the fishing season and bring them good catches. Although she lives in the village with them she can have no contact with the villagers or her magic will not work.
One of the fishermen, Zurga, had met her previously and fallen in love with her as had his best friend Nadir.and both had pledged to forgo their love for her to save their friendship. Nadir arrives at the village and immediately Leila and Nadir meet and declare their love. A terrible storm occurs and Zurga finds out about their liaison. He condemns them to death, but eventually relents and allows them to depart peacefully.
This 2015 production by the New York Metropolitan Opera was beautifully sung and staged.
Meg Dillon
One of the fishermen, Zurga, had met her previously and fallen in love with her as had his best friend Nadir.and both had pledged to forgo their love for her to save their friendship. Nadir arrives at the village and immediately Leila and Nadir meet and declare their love. A terrible storm occurs and Zurga finds out about their liaison. He condemns them to death, but eventually relents and allows them to depart peacefully.
This 2015 production by the New York Metropolitan Opera was beautifully sung and staged.
Meg Dillon
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