THE PEARLFISHERS

Bizet’s The Pearlfishers centres on the bizarre love triangle of Zurga, a newly crowned king; Nadir, a fisherman who has returned from a year in exile; and a virgin priestess named Leila. Set in Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka), the opera features the famous duet “Au Fond du Temple Saint” which was performed on the night by Opera Australia’s Henry Choo as Nadir and understudy Chris Hillier who played Zurga ably on the night. While the opera was slow to start the performance picked up its pace in the second act when Nadir discovers the mysterious virgin princess is in fact Leila, the woman both he and Zurga had pursued. Young soprana Nicole Car is beguiling as Leila, the veiled priestess. When Zurga discovers his old friend Nadir has broken his word not to pursue Leila, he flies into a jealous rage not because he is in love with the virgin priestess but rather because his old friend Nadir is pursuing someone else. The production is awash in Hindu imagery, repressed homosexuality and a pastel pastiche of light blue designs – not for the faint-hearted.

Until Aug 8, Sydney Opera House, Macquarie St, Sydney, $40-280, 9250 7777, sydneyoperahouse.com