Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles Returns to the Met Stage For the First Time Since 1916, In A New Production Conducted By Gianandrea Noseda and Directed by Penny Woolcock.
Diana Damrau stars as Leïla, with Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien as Nadir and Zurga, the two friends competing for her love.
The new staging opens on New Year’s Eve and will be seen worldwide on January 16
as part of the Met’s Live in HD series of transmissions to movie theaters.
New York, NY – A new production of Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers), a rarity by the composer of Carmen that has not been seen at the Met in nearly a century, opens in a new production this New Year’s Eve. The opera, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda and directed by Penny Woolcock, tells the story of a beautiful Hindu priestess pursued by rival pearl divers competing for her hand. Highlights of the score include “Au fond du temple saint,” perhaps the best-known duet for two male voices in the operatic repertory. Diana Damrau leads the cast as the priestess Leïla, opposite Matthew Polenzani as Nadir, Mariusz Kwiecien as Zurga, and Nicolas Testé as the high priest Nourabad.
Woolcock’s staging of Les Pêcheurs de Perles is a co-production with English National Opera, where it premiered in 2010. It features set design by Dick Bird in his Met debut, costume design by Kevin Pollard, lighting design by Jen Schriever, projection design by 59 Productions, and movement direction by Andrew Dawson. The January 16 matinee performance will be transmitted worldwide as part of the Met’s Live in HD series, which now reaches more than 2,000 movie theaters in 70 countries around the world.
The January 27 and February 4 performances will be conducted by Antony Walker, with Amanda Woodbury singing the role of Leïla on February 4.
Performances: December 31; January 4, 8, 12, 16mat, 20, 23eve, 27, 30eve; February 4. Curtain times vary complete schedule here. Running time: 2 hours and 29 minutes, including one intermission.
Tickets begin at $25; for prices, more information, or to place an order, please call (212) 362-6000 or visit www.metopera.org. Special rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling (212) 341-5410 or visiting www.metopera.org/groups.
Same-day $25 rush tickets for all performances of Les Pêcheurs de Perles are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the Met’s Web site. Tickets will go on sale for performances Monday-Friday at noon, matinees four hours before curtain, and Saturday evenings at 2 p.m.
