THE PEARL FISHERS.
(Les Pêcheurs de Perles)
George Bizet.

Bizet's sensuous and romantic tale of love, jealousy and redemption, transports us to the land of the pearl fishers on the coast of Ceylon. Their chief, Zurga, meets up with his old friend Nadir and they recall in the world famous duet 'In the depths of the Temple' their former rivalry for the hand of the beautiful priestess Leila, who they renounced for the sake of their friendship.

Leila arrives and prays to Brahma for the pearl fishers' safety when she and Nadir recognize each other and their love is immediately revived. Discovered by the outraged high priest Nourabad, the lovers are captured and brought before Zurga who instantly recognises Leila. Seized with jealousy he condemns them both to death but soon realises that it was Leila, as a small girl, who years earlier had saved his life. As Leila and Nadir prepare to face death together, Zurga cries out that the camp is on fire. As the pearl fishers rush away to fight the flames, Zurga releases Leila and Nadir telling them it was he who set fire to the camp. He tells Leila how he recognized her and declares that he is now repaying the debt he owes her. As the lovers escape, Zurga awaits his own death in the approaching fire.

Bizet's beautiful score overflows with dramatic energy and in this visually captivating production reveals many wonderful sensuous and alluring images including the lush and mysterious Ceylonese landscape, the ruined temple at sunset, pearl divers and the enigmatic veiled beauty of Leila.
The Pearl Fishers melds passion and exoticism into a spellbinding story.

Conductor: Luke Dollman
Original Director: Ann-Margret Pettersson
Rehearsed By:: Luise Napier
Scenery: John Conklin
Costume Designer: Clare Mitchell
Lighting Designer: Nigel Levings
Choreographer: Rosetta Cook

Leila: Leanne Kenneally
Zurga: Grant Doyle
Nadir: James Egglestone
Nourabad: Pelham Andrews

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
and
State Opera Chorus

Sung in French with English surtitles.