The Pearl Fishers: A Special Presentation by the Edmonton Opera

Bizet's

The Pearl Fishers

An intimate and unique opera experience

Journey to an exotic island in the Indian Ocean as Edmonton Opera presents a tale of love and passion, friendship and betrayal, jealousy and sacrifice. A special production of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers (Les p��cheurs de perles) plays for two nights only, March 12 and 14, in the intimacy of the Winspear Centre. Tickets are on sale now at the Edmonton Opera Box Office: call (780) 429-1000 or visit www.edmontonopera.com. The Pearl Fishers is performed in French, with English surtitles projected above the stage.

A life-long friendship between two men, Nadir and Zurga, once nearly destroyed by their love for the same woman, survived thanks only to their vow to never see her again. When a mysterious priestess arrives on their island, Nadir recognizes her as the woman he and Zurga once loved, and, overcome by his passion, he must choose between the love of his friend and that of his Leila.

The most famous men's duet in all of opera, "Au fond du temple saint," is only one of the unforgettable musical moments in a haunting and beautiful tragic opera. Edmonton Opera is proud to welcome Amy Hansen, who sang Lakm�� in 2005, as Leila. She is joined by Colin Ainsworth, who sang Tonio in Daughter of the Regiment, Edmonton favourite Gregory Dahl, and bass Andrew Stewart in his Edmonton Opera debut. Director Brian Deedrick and Conductor Robert Dean lead the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Edmonton Opera Chorus in this innovative production.

"The extraordinary success of Lakm�� in the intimate acoustical splendour of the Winspear Centre has been the inspiration for The Pearl Fishers," says Deedrick. "We've spent four years looking for the project that could provide Edmonton audiences with an equally powerful and moving operatic experience. We are so pleased that CGI, The Pearl Fishers' presenting sponsor, is making this production possible."

Both performances of The Pearl Fishers begin at 7:30pm and run at the Winpear Centre. Tickets, which range from $24 to $110, are available at the Edmonton Opera Box Office, call (780) 429-1000 or visit www.edmontonopera.com.