Pecheurs de Perles, Les (The Pearl Fishers): Act I, Duet: Au fond du temple saint [Alf:36-A305602]

Because he had formerly won the Prix de Rome prize in composition, George Bizet (1838-1875) had the opportunity to write his opera LES PECHEURS DE PERLES (THE PEARL FISHERS) on commission. With a libretto written by Eug¨ne Cormon and Michel Carrİ, it received its premiere in Paris at the Theatre Lyrique on September 30, 1863. It ran for eighteen performances, then was not performed again until after the composer's passing. The opera is particularly known for its Act I duet "Au fond du temple saint", in which Nadir and Zurga recount falling in love with the same Brahman priestess as she passed through a crowd, but vow to abandon the memory of former passion in order to preserve their friendship. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp: 2Hp: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Soli T.Bar.