Pearl Fishing With Opera North

Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers), the very well known and much-loved opera by the French composer Georges Bizet, has been given a visual makeover in Opera North's latest production. Lighting designers Joanna Parker and Peter Mumford have used ascending and descending spot lights and back projection to create a dream-like undersea feel that works well to enhance the otherwise minimal narrative of the piece.

The opera tells the story of two men in a pearl fishing community and how their vow of eternal friendship is threatened by their love for the same woman. Pretty standard stuff so far. But there's a complication: the woman (Leïla) is a priestess and has sworn a sacred oath to remain apart from the men. Falling for one of them is thus likely to raise 'difficulties' - and it does.

Bizet is perhaps better known as the writer of Carmen, written a full ten years after The Pearl Fishers. Could it be his lack of experience (he was not even 25 years old when he wrote 'Fishers') that yields a rather lumpy narrative, and a feeling that some parts are over-prolonged and others rushed? In my mind, an editor needs to wield his red pen to tighten things up a little.

The music, however, is a completely different matter.

Bizet’s music is lyrical, with wildly imaginative orchestration and the odd spectacular melody. Perhaps the best-loved of which is the tenor/baritone duet ‘Au fond du temple saint,' often known simply as 'that duet from the Pearl Fishers'. Like all the best earworms, once heard, they are never forgotten.



As so often is the case, Opera North has assembled a splendid cast. Under the guidance of conductor Matthew Kofi Waldren are ON debutante Sophia Theodorides as Leïla. Tenor Nico Darmanin returns to sing Nadir (Leïla's love interest), while baritone Quirijn de Lang takes the part of Zurga (the spurned one).

Backed by the excellent ON chorus and orchestra, they delivered another top-notch performance. I really tried not to like Nico Darmanin / Quirijn de Lang in the famous duet, as it is the opera equivalent of Noddy Holder singing a Christmas song - but I failed miserably. Backed by the chorus and orchestra, both at full tilt I was completely won over.

Finally, I'd like to mention James Creswell as Nourabad. He is rather underused in 'Fishers' but has a lovely voice. Perhaps he needs to be given a larger role in a future production?