The Pearl Fishers

Synopsis

The Pearl Fishers, first performed in Paris in 1863, was Bizet's first success on the operatic stage. The friendship of two pearl fishers, Zurga and Nadir is tested to its limits when both fall in love with the beautiful, but forbidden priestess Leila. Set in ancient Ceylon.

Our Review:

3 June 2010

Penny Woolcock’s new production of The Pearl Fishers opens with a stunning coup de théâtre. As the music of the prelude starts the curtain rises to reveal a beautiful projected image of light filtering through water. Through this shifting play of light we see an aerial ballet of three pearl fishers diving and surfacing with their trophies.

The scene which, in less competent technical hands, could have been laughable is perfectly judged and utterly captivating. Perhaps inevitably the rest of the production cannot live up to the first images but I hardly exaggerate when I state that the opening almost justifies the ticket price on its own.

The first full stage scene promises much with a spectacular setting and some excellently detailed chorus work. The set, representing a fairly contemporaneous shanty town perched precariously at the sea’s edge, is complex and somewhat limits the chorus movement. Despite this there are some beautifully observed vignett...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Randy - 14 June 2010:

If you think that was bad, you should have been there Sat. nite. Alfie Boe (the chief draw) was out, and his cover, also ill, tried singing and just barely made it through the first half. For the second half they brought out a second unrehearsed tenor who sang from the side while the first cover mimed the role. An already lame production turned into a total disaster. Refund!...

Read more and add your own review

Related Whatsonstage.com Articles

Alfie Boe Discusses ENO's Pearl Fishers More»