The Opera Ensemble of the National Theatre Prepares Georges Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers” for the Premiere in February

The Opera Ensemble of the National Theatre in Belgrade is preparing a new production of Georges Bizet’s opera “The Pearl Fishers”, known for its exceptional emotional nuances, musical innovation, and intriguing storyline set on the exotic island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The opera focuses on the theme of sacrifice in the name of love and friendship. 

The premiere is scheduled for February 12 on the Main Stage, under the baton of Aleksandar Kojić and directed by Darijan Mihajlović. 

“The story of a woman destined to live alone on a rock to ward off evil spirits from the boats of pearl fishers embarking on the uncertainties of the Indian Ocean evokes Iphigenia’s sacrifice to the God of Wind at the same time bringing a humanistic and emancipatory aspect. Looking from the side, even for Bizet’s time, this is an opera that celebrates freedom, love, and triumph over the chains imposed by society. It is a magnificent piece of music set in one of the most beautiful parts of the world”, Mihajlović says, who successfully directed Verdi’s opera “The Force of Destiny” at the National Theatre in Belgrade in 2009.

“The Pearl Fishers” is a Bizet’s opera that, as described in the literature, features one of the most beautiful operatic duets. Zurga and Nadir, a baritone and a tenor, sing of a friendship that will never be broken. This is one of those operas inspired by a fascination with distant and exotic lands. It’s an extraordinary blend of religions and the mountains dominating the central part of the island, where, in the early morning at an altitude of 2,000 meters, women hand-pick tea buds of the purest and finest tea in the world. This area is called Nuwara Eliya, and it is impossible not to imagine it through the music. Most likely enchanted by such scenery, Bizet created a musical and theatrical work imbued with the mist rising from the jungle and gently ascending toward temples carved into the rocks,” Mihajlović believes.

The soloist cast includes Vesna Đurković, Aleksandra Jovanović, Snežana Savičić Sekulić (Leila), Stevan Karanac, Marko Živković (Nadir), Nebojša Babić, Milutin Jocić, Stefan Petković (Zurga), and Vuk Matić, Mihailo Šljivić (Nurabad). The Orchestra, Choir, and Ballet of the National Theatre in Belgrade also participate in the production.

The choreographer is Tamara Antonijević Spasić, set design is created by Vesna Popović and costumes by Višnja Žilić.

The heart of the story is a tale of Nadir’s selfless love for the priestess Leila. Their happiness is thwarted by the high priest Nurabad and Zurga, the leader chosen by the pearl fishers and once a friend of Nadir’s. 

Driven by jealousy of Nadir over Leila, Zurga decides to punish them both, but after painful internal conflict, he spares the lives of his childhood friend and Leila, whom he recognizes as the girl who saved his life many years ago.

The music from this operatic masterpiece is highly popular today, frequently cited in films and performed in numerous instrumental arrangements.

Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers”, written in 1863 when he was just 24, has been staged only once before at the National Theatre - in 1988 on the Zemun Stage under the baton of Aleksandar Lekovski and directed by Mladen Sabljić.

That production marked the Yugoslav premiere of this piece that was performed as part of the 20th anniversary of the Belgrade Music Festival (BEMUS).