Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers"

Synopsis

In operatic history, one of the great examples of the old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” is the career of the French composer Georges Bizet. Bizet died at the age of 36 in 1875, the same year his opera “Carmen” premiered. Now, “Carmen” eventually proved a lasting success and now ranks as one of the great masterworks of French opera—but poor Monsieur Bizet wasn’t around to experience any of that.

Moreover, “Carmen” was preceded by Bizet’s no less than 30 attempts writing a hit opera. Most of these never made it to the stage, and the few that did achieved only a modest success.

The most famous of the “pre-Carmen” operas Bizet penned premiered on today’s date in 1863. It was a Romantic tale set in exotic Ceylon, entitled “Les pêcheurs de perles,” or “The Pearl Fishers.” This was a commission from the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, and a prestigious opportunity for the 20-something composer to showcase his talents.

“The Pearl Fishers” ran for 18 performances in 1863, and, although applauded by its initial audiences, was roundly panned by the press. Only one music critic saw any merit in Bizet’s music, and that critic just happened to be the great French Romantic composer Hector Berlioz.

Even so, Bizet’s “Pearl Fishers” wasn’t revived until long after Bizet’s death, and some 30 years after its premiere. Today, after “Carmen” of course, it’s Bizet’s SECOND most popular opera.

Music Played in Today's Program

Georges Bizet (1838 – 1875) Prelude, fr The Pearl Fishers Mexico City Philharmonic; Enrique Batiz, cond. ASV 6133

Georges Bizet (1838 – 1875) "Au fond du temple saint," fr The Pearl Fishers Placido Domingo, tenor; Sherrill Milnes, baritone; London Symphony; Anton Guadagno, BMG 62699

On This Day

Births

• 1840 - Norwegian composer Johann Svendsen, in Christiania;

• 1852 - Irish-born British composer Sir Charles Villers Stanford, in Dublin;

Deaths

• 1989 - American composer and music critic Virgil Thomson, age 92, in New York City;

Premieres

• 1791 - Mozart: opera, "Die Zauberflöte" (The Magic Flute), in Vienna at the Freihaustheater auf der Wieden, conducted by the composer;

• 1863 - Bizet: opera "Les Pecheurs de perles" (The Pearl Fishers), in Paris at the Théâtre Lyrique;

• 1935 - Gershwin: opera "Porgy and Bess," during trial run at Boston's Colonial Theater; According to Opera America magazine, this is one of the most frequently-produced American operas during the past decade;

• 1944 - R. Vaughan Williams: Oboe Concerto, with soloist Leon Goosens and the Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent;

• 1960 - Barber: "Toccata Festiva" for organ and orchestra, at Philadelphia's Academy of Music, by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy, with Paul Callaway the soloist;

• 1979 - Penderecki: "Te Deum" in Assisi, Italy;

• 1989 - Daniel Asia: Piano Quartet, at Wigmore Hall in London, by the Domus ensemble;

• 1999 - Michael Tilson Thomas: "Whitman Songs for Orchestra," by the San Francisco Symphony, composer conducting.