Les Pêcheurs de Perles

LES PECHEURS DE PERLES The Pêcheurs de perles launched Bizet's operatic career, even though the work was not warmly received at its premiere, remaining, according to the composer himself…

LES PECHEURS DE PERLES Les Pêcheurs de perles launched Bizet's operatic career, even though the work was not warmly received at its premiere, remaining, in the composer's own words, « an honourable but brilliant failure  ».

Written when he was only twenty-five, it shows influences from Gounod and Verdi. Although the story is set in Ceylon – though the young musician had never left Paris –, the music has no local colour.

Yet through its arias – including Nadir's famous romance « Je crois entendre encore  » –, its very melodic duets and choruses, Bizet evokes an oriental reverie in which feeling and youth hold sway.

This sensual score has everything needed to appeal to the inventiveness of Pierre-André Weitz, a faithful collaborator of Olivier Py, who here takes on the roles of director, set designer and costume designer.

For this work that celebrates youth, Pretty Yende will bring her ease, both vocal and dramatic, to an endearing Leïla, Amitai Pati will continue his brilliant conquest of French song, while Florian Sempey is expected to display his vocal authority as Zurga.

In the pit, Marc Minkowski and his Musiciens du Louvre will once again delight us with their infectious energy.

tv and Le Figaro Cast: Marc Minkowski | conductor Pierre-André Weitz | direction, set design, costumes Ivo Bauchiero | choreography Bertrand Killy | lighting Pretty Yende | Leïla Amitai Pati | Nadir Florian Sempey | Zurga Sulkhan Jaiani | Nourabad Les Musiciens du Louvre Aedes | direction Mathieu Romano