Met Opera 2018-19 Preview: A Look At the Brief History of ‘Les Pêcheurs de Perles’ In NY

By David Salazar

For just the third time in Metropolitan Opera history, Bizet’s “Les Pêcheurs de Perles” will receive a revival.

The opera had its Met premiere on Jan. 11, 1896, but only two of its acts were performed.

The first full performance of the opera would have to wait 20 years when it appeared on opening night, Nov. 13, 1916. The cast of that performance included Enrico Caruso, Giuseppe de Luca, and soprano Frieda Hempel. Reviews that evening centered on Caruso’s prowess onstage.

That cast only got three performances of the opera before it was lost to the Met stage for nearly 100 years.

Then in 2015, a new production surfaced on New Year’s Eve. The new production by Penny Woolcock featured Diana Damrau, Matthew Polenzani, and Mariusz Kwiecien with Gianandrea Noseda conducting. Amanda Woodbury appeared in the final performance of the run, stepping in for Damrau. Anthony Walker also conducted the performance; he conducted another performance during the run.

This year’s cast will feature Kwiecien once more, but alongside Javier Camarena as Nadir and Pretty Yende as Léila. Emmanuel Villaume will conduct the production.

 

 

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