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By Emma Krasov
Bizet’s first three-act opera,
The Pearl Fishers, wascreated in time of Western idealization of the far away exotic lands, perceivedromantic adventures, and noble sacrifices in lush ornamental environs.
It was also the time of merciless Parisian art critics,supported by the habitually demanding public, hardly ever restrained indelivering their unapologetic verdicts to all kinds of artists.
Criticized in its day, with librettists Michel Carre andEugene Cormon partially taking the blame, The Pearl Fishers continuously charmstoday’s audiences by maintaining its musical brilliance and its innocentfascination with the beauty and drama of pure theatricality.
Picked by the
Opera San José for the opening of its 29thseason, the popular piece appears fresh and full of sparkle in its fourthstaging in the last two decades is a suitably-lavish décor of the CaliforniaTheatre. Love vs. vows, rivalry vs. friendship, and merci vs. mobmentality play out along the highs and lows of moral choices faced by the onstagecommunity of Ceylon pearl fishers, never seizing to excite and entertain thepublic throughout the compact, thematically saturated Bizet’s masterpiece.
Joining the resident company of principal artists thisseason is Cecilia Violetta Lopez, who performs the lead part of Leila on selecteddays, with her crystal-sounding soprano of effortlessly delivered impressiverange, and significant dramatic talent. Principals Alexander Boyer as Nadir, Evan Brummel as Zurga,and Silas Elash as Nourabad create an exceptionally harmonious ensemble, seamlesslysupported by the Opera San José chorus and dancers.
Conducted by AnthonyQuartuccio, with stage direction by Richard Harrell, choreography by Lise LaCour, set design by Charlie Smith, costume design by Elizabeth Poindexter, lightingdesign by Pamila Gray,
and wig/makeupdesign by Jeanna Parham, The Pearl Fishers looks like a perfect season’sopening, and a promise of other wonderful things to come.
The opera is sung in French with English supertitles and runsthrough September 23 at the California Theatre, 345 South First Street indowntown San José. Tickets at the Opera San José Box Office, by phone at (408)437-4450 or online at www.operasj.org.
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