Bizet's Les Pêcheurs de perles

Bizet's The Pearl Fishers from the Vienna State Opera

Set in ancient times on the coast of Ceylon, we follow the story of Zurga - the newly elected leader of the island's pearl fishermen - as his childhood friend returns and throws events out of balance. Having sworn to renounce a girl they both once loved in order to preserve their friendship, Nadir breaks his vow when it becomes apparent the object of their affection is the veiled temple priestess, Leila, who is supposed to protect the fishermen from the water spirits with her prayers and whose identity had remained unknown following a vow she had taken.

After the fishermen learn she has revealed her true identity to Nadir, they plead with her to continue protecting them, but she declines and tells Nadir she will now only sing for him alone. Consumed by jealousy, Zurga first orders both be executed for the double breach of oath but softens after realising that Leila once saved his life, and sets them free under cover of commotion.

Ian Skelly presents, and is joined by opera expert Sarah Hibberd. Recorded in May at the Vienna State Opera.

Bizet: Les Pêcheurs de perles

Leila ..... Kristina Mkhitaryan (soprano),
Nadir ..... Juan Diego Flórez (tenor)
Zurga ..... Ludovic Tézier (baritone)
Nourabad ..... Ivo Stanchev (bass)
Vienna State Opera Chorus
Vienna State Opera Orchestra
Daniele Rustioni, conductor (conductor)