Cape Town Opera’s 2021 production of Bizet’s masterful opera, The Pearl Fishers (Les pêcheurs de perles), returns to the Artscape Theatre stage. During the height of lockdown, the limited audience capacity prevented opera lovers from attending the stunning first run of the semi-staged production. To celebrate our return to full houses and open theatres, the company is overjoyed to bring The Pearl Fishers back.
Bizet’s 1863 opera, composed to a French libretto by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré, centres on two men’s rivalry in their love for the same woman. The fishermen Zurga and Nadir’s lifelong friendship is tested when they both fall in love with the beautiful priestess, Leïla, who in turn finds herself torn between her sacred oaths and secular love.
The stirring music and heart-wrenching story will be brought to life by Cape Town Opera Soloists and Chorus, and features celebrated South African tenor Levy Sekgapane. Direction is by Elisabeth Manduell with concept design by Matthew Wild and artwork by Shakil Solanki.
The Pearl Fishers is at Artscape from 10 to 14 May 2023 with tickets from R250pp via 0214217695 and Computicket –https://tickets.computicket.com/event/the_pearl_fishers/7212711/7212789/2688
Levy Sekgapane, winner of Placido Domingo’s Operalia competition in 2017, returns to South Africa to star in Cape Town Opera’s limited season of The Pearl Fishers, at Artscape from 10-14 May.