A tale of love, jealousy and redemption, Georges Bizet's The Pearl Fishers will transport you to an exotic land where the ancient gods still rule. Bizet's atmospheric score - written in a white heat when the composer was just 24 - plunges the listener into the story from the very first note.

Though less well-known than Bizet’s “mega-hit,” Carmen, The Pearl Fishers showcases the composer’s enchanting melodies and brilliant use of orchestral color, offering some of opera’s most familiar music. Audience members will quickly recognize the famous opening chorus (“Sur la grëve en feu”) as well as the celebrated male duet (“Au fond du temple saint”).
Director Michael Hunt, a veteran of English National Opera and artistic director of Co-Opera Ireland, leads the artistic team. Eminent British maestro Lionel Friend conducts.

Striking soprano Cynthia Haymon will make her Portland Opera debut as Leïla, while charismatic tenor Tracey Welborn plays Nadir. Heroic baritone Richard Zeller, who Portland audiences will remember as Amonasro in Portland Opera's September 1999 production of Aïda, completes the love triangle as Zurga. American bass Matthew Lau, from 2000’s The Cunning Little Vixen, plays the high priest Nourabad.