06/09/18 – The Pearl Fishers – 1pm
NEW-TO-CHICAGO PRODUCTION
(Les pêcheurs de perles)
by Georges Bizet
Sung in French
photo credit: Andrew Cioffi
The Pearl Fishers Opera Overview
For sheer exotic beauty, Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers has few rivals in the entire repertoire. The opera’s famed duet for tenor and baritone is a soaring melody that has turned countless opera newcomers into ecstatic fans. Bizet (who composed this work 12 years before Carmen) transports us to Ceylon, where two devoted friends find themselves in love with the same woman, an entrancingly beautiful priestess, Leïla. From its leading men and leading lady, The Pearl Fishers demands the ultimate in vocal beauty and elegance to do justice to this sweepingly romantic drama.
– The New York Times
Marina Rebeka
Leïla
![Matthew Polenzani†](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1718_operas/headshots/matthewpolenzani.jpg)
Matthew Polenzani†
Nadir
![Mariusz Kwiecień](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1617_operas/headshots/mariuszkwiecienc.jpg)
Mariusz Kwiecień
Zurga
![Andrea Silvestrelli](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1617_operas/headshots/andreasilvestrelli.jpg)
Andrea Silvestrelli
Nourabad
![Sir Andrew Davis](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1617_operas/headshots/sirandrewdavis.jpg)
Sir Andrew Davis
Conductor
![Andrew Sinclair](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1718_operas/headshots/andrewsinclairdirector.jpg)
Andrew Sinclair
Director
![Zandra Rhodes*](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1718_operas/headshots/zandrarhodes.jpg)
Zandra Rhodes*
Set & Costume Designer
![Ron Vodicka*](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1718_operas/headshots/ronvodicka.jpg)
Ron Vodicka*
Lighting Designer
![Michael Black](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1617_operas/headshots/michaelblack.jpg)
Michael Black
Chorus Master
![John Malashock](https://www.lyricopera.org/~/media/1718_operas/headshots/malashock.jpg)
John Malashock
Choreographer