The Pearl Fishers

Les pêcheurs de perles
By Georges Bizet
Libretto by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré

Sung in French with English surtitles
An Opera Australia Production

Bizet's The Pearl Fishers conjures up some of the most sensuous and alluring images in opera: the lush and mysterious Ceylonese landscape, a ruined temple at sunset, pearl divers and an enigmatic veiled beauty.

With its mystical setting, glorious music and sumptuous imagery, The Pearl Fishers melds passion and exoticism into a spellbinding story. East meets West when two friends, Nadir and Zurga, both captivated by a young priestess, Léïla, have their loyalties, friendship and promises challenged.

Glorious and evocative, Bizet's richly orchestrated score eloquently expresses the beauty and surging emotional tension of the opera, and features one of opera's finest duets, "Au fond du temple saint".

Central to the drama is an outstanding opera quartet - New Zealand's own Deborah Wai Kapohe debuts as the ethereal priestess, Léïla, alongside Jud Arthur as the priest, Nourabad. In the role of Nadir and Zurga we welcome back to New Zealand two exceptional British singers John Daszak and Mark Holland with the distinguished English conductor, Michael Lloyd.

Lavish designs and an impressive international opera cast ensure this highly acclaimed production from Opera Australia will captivate and entertain with images that will linger long after the curtain has fallen.

Featured Cast

With the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus

Accompanied by
NGC Wellington Sinfonia (Wellington)
Auckland Philharmonia (Auckland)

The management reserves the right to make alterations to the cast due to unavoidable circumstances

Dates