Originally published Friday, January 9, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Comments
E-mail article
Print view
"Pearl Fishers" is a tale of love, rivalry and friendship
The plot of Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" — which Seattle Opera presents in January — centers on a love triangle.
The plot of "The Pearl Fishers" is essentially simple. Zurga, leader of the fishers, and Nadir are old friends, who in Act I meet after a long separation.
They recall the time, years before, when they encountered Leïla, whose beauty captivated them both — but when, to avoid damaging their friendship, they both swore to renounce their passion for her. Now a veiled woman is brought in, whose prayers will protect the fishermen as long as she remains true to her vow of virginity. No seasoned opera fan will need to be told that this is of course Leïla. Nadir, who has secretly continued to nurse his love despite the oath he shared with Zurga, recognizes her.
In Act II, escorted by the high priest Nourabad to the rock where she is to sing and pray, Leïla senses Nadir's nearness, and when he declares his love she does not reject him. But then, against the background of a gathering storm, Nourabad and his fakirs rush in and seize the pair. They are brought before Zurga, whose initial merciful impulse is to spare them — but when he recognizes Leïla, he retracts his pardon in uncontrollable fury.
Act III sees him consumed with remorse at having condemned his friend. Yet once again, when Leïla is brought before him and begs him to punish only her and to spare Nadir's life, the realization that she loves his rival rekindles his jealous rage. Then she gives a necklace to a young fisherman, asking him to pass it on to her mother, and Zurga recognizes it as the necklace he gave her years ago when, as a child, she bravely saved his life. Deciding after all to save both her and Nadir, he sets a fire in the village to distract the fishermen from their murderous intent. True to the overmastering claims of friendship, he watches the couple escape, bidding farewell to his own dreams of love — and, in the version of the ending used in this staging, he is shot by the returning Nourabad.
Bernard Jacobson
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
CD review | Wale's 'Attention Deficit'
Dozens of acts, several stages beckon at first Seattle cabaret festival
Deck the Hall Ball lineup announced; tickets on sale Saturday
Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic to tour U.S.
Taylor made? All eyes on Swift at CMA awards

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Huskies are finding talent in Tacoma
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
264 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
233 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
210 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
193 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
131 - Obama pressed into role as national healer
114 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
99 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
97 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
85 - DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
84
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Rainier Pacific Financial calls rescue 'unlikely'





