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The Pearl Fishers
Setting: Ancient Ceylon.
Act I. A beach in Ceylon. Fishermen gather to elect Zurga as their new King. During their celebration, Nadir, one of the fishermen, returns after a year spent away in the forest and is reunited with his former friend, Zurga. The two men had once fallen in love with the same woman, but in order to keep their friendship, they swore not to pursue her. They vow never again to let the love of a woman destroy their friendship.
A boat lands nearby, and Zurga explains that an unknown virgin from another island has been chosen to pray for them as they go to sea. A veiled woman arrives, and Zurga explains her duties. Faithful obedience will be rewarded, but if she breaks her vows the punishment is death. The priestess promises to maintain her purity. Nadir is struck by the resemblance of the unknown priestess to Leila, the woman he and Zurga swore never to see. As the priestess ascends the rocks overlooking the sea to begin her vigil, her veil is momentarily lifted and Nadir recognizes the priestess as his beloved, Leila.
Act II. Night; An Indian temple. Nourabad reminds Leila of the penalty if she breaks her vows. Leila recounts an instance when she remained faithful in the face of death. As a girl, she once offered sanctuary to a fugitive, and although her life was threatened, she refused to divulge his hiding place. The man rewarded her with the necklace she still wears.
When the priest leaves, Nadir approaches. Leila warns him that if they are seen together, they will be punished with death. Nadir agrees to leave, but before he can go, shouts are heard. Angry villagers apprehend the couple and prepare to sacrifice them both. They do not recognize Leila beneath her veil. Zurga stops the men and, as their King, orders that their lives be spared. Nourabad rips off Leila’s veil and Zurga is instantly furious; Nadir has betrayed their promise. In rage, Zurga condemns them both to death.
Act III. Scene 1: Zurga’s tent. Zurga regrets sentencing his lifelong friend to death for loving the woman he himself so desperately loves. Leila enters and begs him to take her life but spare Nadir. Zurga realizes she truly loves Nadir, and he is consumed by jealousy. As Nourabad leads her away, Leila gives her necklace to a villager, asking him to send it to her mother. Zurga spots the necklace and snatches it from the man.
Scene 2: Before dawn; near the Temple. The villagers prepare a pyre for Leila and Nadir, who prays that he may still save Leila. Leila prepares to step into the flames, but Zurga suddenly appears, crying out that the village is on fire. As the fishermen rush to save the village, Zurga frees the couple, revealing that he set the fire as a distraction. He had recognized Leila’s necklace, for he was the fugitive whom Leila had saved long ago. While the lovers escape, Nourabad and the villagers return to capture Zurga. |
