Les Pêcheurs de Perles

Act I
Ceylon prior to the British occupation. Each year a community of fishermen settles on the same beach for ritual fishing. Stern Zurga is picked out as leader. He welcomes Nadir, a young and brave hunter who is back home after a long journey. The two men are bound by an old friendship and an oath: both in love with a priestess while on a trip to Kandy, they swore to renounce a forbidden love and save their friendship. There appears the new priestess who comes to protect the fishermen. She is greeted by the people and Zurga has her promise to remain veiled and chaste with the finest pearl or death as a reward. Mysterious Leila swears yet trembles upon recognizing Nadir. He too heard her and blames himself for having followed the young woman since they met in Kandy. Leila is led to the holy rock by the priest Nourabad. In the evening the people’s invocations and Leila’s prayer can be heard. She listens to Nadir’s voice join hers with delight.

Act II
As Nourabad is about to leave Leila for her first night on the rock, she tells him of her first act of valor when as a child she sheltered a fugitive from his assailants and was given a necklace by him. Nadir appears as soon as she is left alone. They spend some time together despite the interdict. A storm arises as if the heavens reprobated them. Nourabad surprises Nadir. The alarmed populace sets upon Nadir and Leila denounced by Nourabad. Zurga intervenes and wants to favor their escape but on recognizing Leila unveiled by Nourabad, he condemns them to death.

Act III
As the storm wanes, Zurga meditates, repents and decides to spare the woman he loved and his friend. Leila is granted a last meeting with her judge. She begs for Nadir’s life but when she reveals her love for the hunter, Zurga becomes furious with jealousy. When Nourabad comes to take Leila to her death, she gives her necklace to a fisherman. Zurga grabs it and follows her hurriedly. Meanwhile, Nadir is expecting his execution surrounded by fishermen drunk with sacred libations. Leila and Nadir are to be slain at dawn. Together at last, they await death in ecstasy. There is a glow that is not dawn but a fire devastating the camp lit by Zurga, whose life was saved by Leila. The fire enables the lovers to flee amid the confusion.