The Pearl Fishers

ACT ONE

The pearl fishers busy themselves setting up camp on the beach. When one of their number, Zurga, announces that the time has come to choose a leader, their unanimous choice is Zurga himself. Suddenly everyone is startled by the arrival of Zurga’s friend Nadir, returning after a long absence. He regales the pearl fishers with a description of his exciting adventures.

Once Zurga and Nadir are alone, they both express their joy at this reunion. They then recall their last meeting: at the gates of Candi, they saw a crowd kneeling before a woman who seemed to them like a goddess. Both Nadir and Zurga fell instantly in love with her, but Nadir worried that this love would turn them into enemies. They now swear once again to forget her and proclaim that they will remain friends until death.

Leïla, a veiled priestess, appears, arriving by canoe, accompanied by the Brahmin priest Nourabad and welcomed by the pearl fishers. Zurga orders her to swear that she’ll pray night and day, while remaining always veiled and living without friends, a husband, or a lover. If she keeps each vow, Zurga will reserve the most magnificent pearl for her. But if Leïla breaks any of her promises, her punishment will be death. Suddenly astonished at the sight of Nadir, she manages to keep her composure. Once he’s alone, Nadir recalls that, after being enchanted by his first sight of Leïla, he followed her, at night and in secret, observing her at a distance as she sang under the palm-trees. He hides as Leïla reappears, along with pearl fishers, chanting a prayer to Brahma. She and Nadir are stunned to see each other again, but they force themselves to keep their feelings hidden.

ACT TWO

At a ruined temple of Brahma where Leïla is to sleep, Nourabad leaves her alone for the night. She recalls that years before, a fugitive appeared at her home and she protected him, even when those pursuing him came to the door. Before leaving her, he gave her a necklace as both a token of his thanks and a way for him to remember her.

Leïla is ecstatic when Nadir arrives. The two confess their love, and Nadir assures her that he will return the next night. They’re suddenly interrupted by Nourabad, who has seen them together. Nadir runs off, but Nourabad’s cohorts rush after him. He’s soon brought in, and Leïla is terrified about what might happen to them both. Nadir is attempting to protect her when Zurga appears. He’s willing to let the lovers go free, but the furious Nourabad steps forward and tears off Leïla’s veil. Now overcome with rage, Zurga has Nadir and Leïla taken away as a storm bursts forth. The Pearl Fishers The terrified pearl fishers fall prostrate in a prayer to Brahma.

ACT THREE

Scene 1. Alone in his tent, Zurga is desperately conflicted in his feelings, having it within his power to put to death both his longtime friend and the woman they both love. Leïla is brought in and implores Zurga that, even if he kills her, Nadir should be spared. When Zurga admits his jealousy, Leïla begs him not to reproach her for loving Nadir. With the funeral pyre now awaiting her, Leïla hands Zurga her necklace and tells him that after she dies, he must deliver it to her mother. Nourabad leads Leïla away, but Zurga, seeing the necklace, gives a gasp of astonishment and rushes off after them.

Scene 2. In the forest, a funeral pyre has been erected by the pearl fishers, who worship Brahma as they anticipate the appearance of the doomed couple for their punishment. Nadir and Leïla look forward to being united in eternity. Suddenly Zurga informs everyone that the pearl fishers’ camp is on fire. Once everyone else rushes away, Zurga lets Leïla know that it was she who had once saved his life. Urging the lovers to leave while there is still time, Zurga bids them farewell. As the grateful Nadir and Leïla are heard in the distance, proclaiming their joy, Zurga bids farewell to his own dream of love and awaits his fate.