The Pearl Fishers by Bizet at Folkoperan
While most of us would recognise the beautiful music, few people have actually seen the opera. Now finally you have the chance. The pursuit of happiness will be the theme at Folkoperan this autumn when Mira Bartov directs The Pearl Fishers, an opera by Georges Bizet.
16 and 17 September 2009 will be the opening nights for the opera The Pearl Fishers with music by Georges Bizet. It will be directed by Mira Bartov, her first production as director on the Folkoperan stage following her arrival as artistic director in 2008.
“The Pearl Fishers is a romantic opera that has been overshadowed by Bizet’s most famous work, Carmen. It is a gripping story with beautifully seductive music. It is set amidst the ruins of a civilisation and depicts a turning point when old values are overturned and the need for new ones emerges. The Pearl Fishers is a timeless tale of our eternal search for happiness and meaning,” says Bartov.
The Pearl Fishers had its world premiere at the Théâtre-Lyrique in Paris in 1863 and was first presented in Sweden at the Royal Swedish Opera in 1913.
SYNOPSIS
Zurga is chosen as leader of the pearl fishers, a people who believe there is a large pearl hidden somewhere at the bottom of the ocean. Many people have sacrificed their lives searching for this pearl. Although the pearl is said to bring great good fortune, the people have lost sight of the value of love which is now virtually forbidden. People are governed by a fear of nature which is heightened by a raging storm outside. They try to appease the wrath of nature with songs and prayers and drive away all evil and rekindle hope of a brighter future.
Two people, Nadir and Leila, refuse to accept the laws of their civilisation, and are prepared to give up their lives for love. But they encounter resistance from Nadir’s best friend Zurga, who also loves Leila. As leader of his people, Zurga has to uphold the myth of the pearl.
PRODUCTION
Music: Georges Bizet
Libretto: Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré
Swedish translation and direction: Mira Bartov
Musical direction: Andreas Lönnqvist
Conducted by: Andreas Lönnqvist and Glenn Mossop
Scenography: Gunnar Ekman
Costumes: Kajsa Larsson
Lighting: Ronny Andersson
Masks and wigs: Therésia Frisk
Cast list
Leila: Elin Rombo/Ann-Christine Larsson
Nadir: Carl Unander-Scharin/Ulric Björklund
Zurga: Jeremy Carpenter/Anton Eriksson
Nourabad: Daniel Frank
Folkoperan choir and orchestra
Mira Bartov was appointed Artistic Director of Folkoperan in 2008. She was recently named Professor of Musical Drama Production at the University of Gothenburg Academy of Music and Drama. Bartov has previously directed Rigoletto, Shit också! and Gianni Schicchi for Folkoperan in co-productions with Parkteatern theatre. She has also directed the Magic Flute at NorrlandsOperan and The Lighthouse with Piteå Kammaropera.
Soprano Elin Rombo received unanimous critical acclaim for her role as the young Batseba in Sven-David Sandström’s new opera Batseba at the Royal Swedish Opera. She is engaged by the Frankfurt Opera where she most recently sang Musetta in La Bohème and Pamina in The Magic Flute.
Tenor Carl Unander-Scharin is both a singer and composer. His compositions include Loranga, Masarin & Dartanjang for the Royal Swedish Opera, Tokfursten for Vadstena Academy and Sömnkliniken for The Göteborg Opera. At Folkoperan he has previously sung Don José in Carmen and Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni. He has sung numerous roles at the Royal Swedish Opera, including Tamino in The Magic Flute and Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville.
Conductor Andreas Lönnqvist is engaged by the Malmö Opera for seasons 2007-2009 where he had conducted works such as Aida and Faust. In 2006, he was musical director of the musical Jekyll and Hyde at Värmlandsoperan. Lönnqvist has made many recordings as a choir director including with the Swedish Radio Choir.
DATES AND TIMES
Following the premieres on 16 and 17 September The Pearl Fishers will play Wednesdays – Fridays at 19.00, Saturdays at 18.00 and Sundays at 16.00 until 31 October 2009. The run may also be extended. The performance lasts approx 2 hours and 30 minutes including interval.
PRESS RELEASE AND PRESS IMAGES
Download the press release as a PDF
Press images can be downloaded at http://folkoperan.se/press/pressbilder/parlfiskarna.
Mira Bartov, director of The Pearl Fishers and artistic director of Folkoperan.
© Mats Bäcker
