Die Perlen­fischer

In the organizer's words:

The opening of the International May Festival presents Georges Bizet's magnificent music in a visually stunning production with singing stars Elena Tsallagova, Marc Laho and Kartal Karagedik.

This production sold out houses wherever it went: with a clever twist, the FC Bergman collective transposes the exotic coastal landscape of Ceylon's pearl fishermen into a retirement home. Friends Zurga and Nadir used to be in love with the same girl. To save their friendship, they promised each other to suppress their feelings for Léïla. But now Léïla returns, and long-suppressed anger, love and jealousy come crashing over the men like waves the size of houses.
In addition to colorful music and thrilling choruses, Bizet's opera also features a hit opera duet in which Zurga and Nadir swear to stay together. Kartal Karagedik and Marc Laho are in demand internationally for the Italian and French repertoire. The cast is crowned by Elena Tsallagova, one of the most exciting sopranos of her generation. The Belgian collective FC Bergman, which received the Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2023, finds overwhelming images for the daily struggles of human beings in its works.

A co-production of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen,
Opéra National de Lille and Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg