THE PEARL FISHERS - GEORGES BIZET

 

Opera in three acts by the French composer Georges Bizet, the plot occurs ancient times, in the island of Ceylon. It tells the story on how a vow to eternal friendship between two men is threatened by love of the same woman, which dilemma is the conflict between secular love and her sacred oath as a priestess. Régis Mengus interprets Zurga, leader of the fishermen and one of the vertices of this love triangle.

 

Act 1

         

Pearl fishermen speak of the tasks that have ahead, and perform ritual dances to ward off the dangers. Zurga is elected leader, or "king". Nadir enters and is greeted by Zurga as a friend. Left alone, they talk about the past, when their friendship was nearly destroyed by mutual love of a young priestess whose beauty had glimpsed briefly. They renounced this strange love and swore to remain faithful to that friendship.
          

A boat arrives to the beach bringing Leila, the virgin priestess whose prayers are necessary to ensure the safety of fishermen. Although none have recognized her, she is the woman who Nadir and Zurga fell in love. The fishermen go to the sea. Leila sings. Nadir,,, recognizing his voice, she goes to the temple. And they both declare passion.

 

Act 2

         

At the temple with Nourabad, Leila shows fear of being alone, but Nourabad encourages her to be brave and to fulfill her votes to Brahma, so she has not pay with her own death. Nadir enters. Leila is Fearing threats Nourabad, she begs him to leave, but he continues and the two declare their love. He leaves, promising to return the next night, but When He is leaving is captured by fishermen and brought back to the temple.Zurga, as a leader, at first resists the fishermen's clamor for the execution of Nadir. However after Nourabad removes Leila's veil, Zurga recognizes her. Consumed by jealousy and anger, he commands Nadir and Leila to be sentenced to death. Suddenly a storm begins.

 

Act 3

         

Zurga notes that the storm subsided, as well as his anger in his tent on the beach.Now he feels remorse. Leila is brought and she captivates him by her beauty. While he listens to her appeals for life of Nadir, his jealousy takes over. He confesses his love for her, but refuses to forgive. Nourabad and some fishermen come to announce that the funeral pyre is ready. When Leila is taken, Zurga runs away. Out of the temple, Nadir waits her next the funeral pyre. Suddenly, a glow appears in the sky, and Zurga runs to inform that the camp of fishermen is on fire. While men rush to save their own homes, Zurga frees Leila and Nadir. He recognizes that his love for her is in vain, and tell them to run away. Zurga is murdered and delivered to the pyre, by having them released.