Georges Bizet, Les Pêcheurs de Perles Composer, Died June 3, 1875

Summary: French Romantic Era composer Georges Bizet, who composed Les Pêcheurs de Perles in 1863, died June 3, 1875.

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season revived Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles, which first premiered in Paris in Sept. 30, 1863, almost 12 years before the Romantic Era composer’s death June 3, 1875: The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook Nov. 13, 2018

Georges Bizet, who composed Les Pêcheurs de Perles in 1863, 10 years before his most famous opera, Carmen, died Thursday, June 3, 1875.

The French Romantic Era composer was born Thursday, Oct. 25, 1838, in Paris. The Conservatoire de Paris waived the minimum entry age of 10 in order to admit the child prodigy Monday, Oct. 9, 1848, just over two weeks before his 10th birthday. At the Conservatoire, Bizet studied with French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893) and became lifelong friends with fellow student Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (Oct. 9, 1835-Dec. 16, 1921).

Bizet became feverish and suffered a heart attack Tuesday, June 1, 1875. Two days later, Thursday, June 3, he succumbed to a second heart attack. The day of his death also marked his sixth wedding anniversary. Six years earlier, on Thursday, June 3, 1969, Bizet had married Geneviève Halévy (Feb. 26, 1849-Dec. 22, 1926), daughter of French composer Fromental Halévy (May 27, 1799-March 17, 1862).

Bizet set his musical score for Les Pêcheurs de Perles to a French libretto by French dramatist-librettist Pierre-Étienne Piestre (May 5, 1810-March 7, 1903), known as Eugène Cormon, and French librettist Michel Carré (Oct. 20, 1821-June 27, 1872). Léon Carvalho (Jan. 18, 1825-Dec. 29, 1897), manager of Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, France, selected Bizet as the 1857 Prix de Rome winner to compose the score for the exotic-themed libretto. Carvalho’s commissioning of Bizet fulfilled the terms of an annual grant by French-Polish diplomat Alexandre Florian Joseph, Count Colonna-Walewski (May 4, 1810-Sept. 27, 1868), for Théâtre Lyrique’s staging of a new opera by a recent winner of the prestigious five-year musical scholarship.

Les Pêcheurs de Perles premiered Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1863, at Théâtre Lyrique. The premiere was held at the opera company’s new, same-named theater, located at 2 Place du Châtelet in the 4 arrondissement (4e arrondissement de Paris), on the Seine’s right bank (rive droite de la Seine).

The Metropolitan Opera premiere of Les Pêcheurs de Perles happened Saturday, Jan. 11, 1896. The premiere of Bizet’s opera shared opening night with the opera house’s fourth performance of La Navarraise by French Romantic Era composer Jules Massenet (May 12, 1842-Aug. 13, 1912).

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season offered seven performances of Les Pêcheurs de Perles. Opening night took place Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

November claimed four additional autumn performances. The month’s performances took place Saturday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m.; and Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m.

Two performances took place in winter, both in December. The month’s two performances happened Saturday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m. and closing night, Saturday, Dec. 8, at 8:30 p.m.

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles had an estimated run time of 2 hours 27 minutes. Act I spanned 48 minutes. An intermission of 30 minutes followed. Act II was estimated at 69 minutes.

Emmanuel Villaume conducted all performances. The French conductor’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Sept. 22, 2004, in the opera house’s 789th performance of Madama Butterfly by Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924).

Pretty Yende appeared in the first six performances as Leïla, the fishermen’s priestess, who comes between her lover, Nadir, and his friend, Zurga the head fisherman. The South African operatic soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Jan. 17, 2013, as Countess Adèle in the Metropolitan Opera’s ninth performance of Le Comte Ory by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (Feb. 29, 1792-Nov. 13, 1868). In the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Pretty Yende also appeared as Marie in La Fille du Régiment by century Italian bel canto opera composer Gaetano Donizetti (Nov. 29, 1797-April 8, 1848).

Amanda Woodbury appeared as Leïla for the closing night, Saturday, Dec. 8, performance. The American soprano debuted March 30, 2015, as Tebaldo in the opera house’s 210th performance of Don Carlo by Italian operatist Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901). During the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Amanda Woodbury also performed as Woglinde in Das Rheingold by German composer and librettist Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813-Feb. 13, 1883).

Javier Camarena appeared in all performances as Nadir, a fisherman whose passion for Leïla causes him to break his promise to his friend, Zurga. The Mexican operatic tenor’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Oct. 1, 2011, as Count Almaviva in the opera house’s 587th performance of Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia. In the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Javier Camarena also performed as Tonio in Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment.

Mariusz Kwiecien appeared in November's first three performances (opening night Nov. 14; Nov. 17; Nov. 20) as Zurga, head fisherman, who learns that Leïla the priestess saved his life long ago. The Polish operatic baritone’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Jan. 2, 1999, as Kuligin in the opera house’s ninth performance of Kátá Kabanová by Czech composer Leoš Janáček (July 3, 1854-Aug. 12, 1928). Mariusz Kwiecien was originally scheduled for all performances, but the Metropolitan Opera announced via Twitter Friday, Nov. 23, Mariusz Kwiecien's withdrawal from the role "due to illness."

Alexander Birch Elliott appeared as Zurga in the last two autumn performances (Nov. 24; Nov. 28) and in winter's two performances (Dec. 1; closing night Dec. 8). The American baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in the role of Zurga.

Nicolas Testé appeared in the first six performances as high priest Nourabad, who expects Leïla to fulfill her vows as a priestess. The French bass-baritone’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened March 19, 2014, as Colline in the opera house’s 1,251st performance of Puccini’s La Bohème.

Raymond Aceto appeared as Nourabad for the closing night, Saturday, Dec. 8, performance. The American bass made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Jailer in the opera house’s 742nd performance of Puccini’s Tosca. During the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Raymond Aceto also performed as Zuniga in Bizet’s Carmen.

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season’s performances of Les Pêcheurs de Perles revived staging by Penny Woolcock. The British filmmaker, opera director and screenwriter’s new staging debuted Dec. 31, 2015, in the opera house’s fifth performance of Les Pêcheurs de Perles.

Woolcock’s production team comprised Dick Bird, set designer; Kevin Pollard, costume designer; Jen Schriever, lighting designer; 59 Productions, projection design; and Andrew Dawson, movement director. Stephen Pickover was the production’s revival stage director.

Les Pêcheurs de Perles appeared as the second of two Bizet operas performed during the 2018-2019 Met Opera season. Bizet’s most famous opera, Carmen, opened Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. Closing night for Carmen’s run of 14 performances took place Friday, Feb. 8, 2019.

The takeaway for Georges Bizet, Les Pêcheurs de Perles composer, who died June 3, 1875, is that the 2018-2019 Met Opera season featured Bizet’s passionate Carmen as well as his exotic Les Pêcheurs de Perles.

Dec. 31, 2015, opening night debut of British opera director Penny Woolcock’s new production of Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles: The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook Dec. 31, 2015

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season revived Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles, which first premiered in Paris in Sept. 30, 1863, almost 12 years before the Romantic Era composer’s death June 3, 1875: The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook Nov. 13, 2018, @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532/10161250785440533/

Dec. 31, 2015, opening night debut of British opera director Penny Woolcock’s new production of Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles: The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook Dec. 31, 2015, @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532/10156481235710533/

For further information:

“Debut: Alexander Birch Elliott.” [Met Performance] CID: 357052 Les Pêcheurs de Perles {14} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/14/2018.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=357052

“Debut: Javier Camarena.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 354056 Il Barbiere di Siviglia {587} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/01/2011.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=354056

“Debut: Raymond Aceto.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 310280 Tosca {742} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/19/1992.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=310280

“Debuts: Amanda Woodbury.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355901 Don Carlo {210} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/30/2015.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355901

“Debuts: Anita Hartig, Jennifer Rowley, Nicolas Testé.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355378 La Bohème {1251} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/19/2014.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355378

“Debuts: Emmanuel Villaume, Felicia Velazquez.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 351017 Madama Butterfly {789} Metropolitan Opera House: 09/22/2004.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=351017

“Debuts: Katarina Karnéus, Mariusz Kwiecien, Catherine Cook.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 331285 Kát'a Kabanová {9} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/2/1999.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=331285

“Debuts: Pretty Yende, Nicola Ulivieri.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 354792 Le Comte Ory {9} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/17/2013.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=354792

Marriner, Derdriu. “2018-2019 Met Opera Season Premiere of Les Pêcheurs de Perles Is Wednesday, Nov. 14.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Nov. 5, 2018.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/11/2018-2019-met-opera-season-premiere-of.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “2018-2019 Met Opera Season’s 10th Week Offers Bizet, Boito and Puccini.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Nov. 19, 2018.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/11/2018-2019-met-opera-seasons-10th-week.html

Mesa, Franklin. Opera: An Encyclopedia of World Premieres and Significant Performances, Singers, Composers, Librettists, Arias and Conductors, 1597-2000. Jefferson NC; London, England: McFarland & Company, Inc. 2007.

Metropolitan Opera ‏@MetOpera. "Alexander Birch Elliott will sing Zurga in all remaining performances of Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles, replacing Mariusz Kwiecien, who has withdrawn due to illness. #CastChange." Twitter. Nov. 23, 2018.
Available @ https://twitter.com/MetOpera/status/1066020216918937600

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. “ Bizet's Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers) returns tomorrow November 14! . . . .” Facebook. Nov. 13, 2018.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532/10161250785440533/

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. “A scene from Bizet's Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers). bit.ly/1IKEDME.” Facebook. Dec. 31, 2015.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532/10156481235710533/

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. “A scene from the new production of Bizet's Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers). bit.ly/1IKEDME.” Facebook. Dec. 28, 2015.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.10156468980170533/10156468985980533/

“Metropolitan Opera Premiere: Les Pêcheurs de Perles.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 16070 Metropolitan Opera Premiere (Les Pêcheurs de Perles) La Navarraise {4} Les Pêcheurs de Perles {1} Acts I & II. Metropolitan Opera House: 1/11/1896.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=16070

“New Production: Les Pêcheurs de Perles.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 356215 New production Les Pêcheurs de Perles {5} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/31/2015.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=356215