Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Eugéne Cormon and Michel Carré
Based on La vestale by Spontini and on other sources
First performance at Théâtre Lyrique, Paris, September 20, 1863
Sung in French with English Supertitles
Time and Place: The island of Ceylon in ancient times
THE CAST
(in order of appearance)
| Zurga, head fisherman, baritone | Russell Braun (Canada)* | |
| Nadir, a fisherman, tenor | Michael Schade (Switzerland)* | |
| Nourabad, high priest of Brahma, bass | José Gallisa (Brazil) | |
| Leïla, priestess of Brahma, soprano | Isabel Bayrakdarian (Armenia) | |
| Conductor | Karen Keltner (USA) | |
| Director | Andrew Sinclair (United Kingdom) | |
| Fishermen, villagers, Brahmins | ||
* San Diego Opera début
New production for San Diego Opera by Zandra Rhodes
Estimated running time: 2 hours and 25 minutes with one intermission
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
| Leïla = le-ee-LAH | Nourabad = noo-rah-BAHD | |
| Nadir = nah-DEER | Georges Bizet = JHORJH bee-ZAY | |
| Zurga = ZOOR-gah | Braun = Brown | |
| Schade = SHAH-deh | José Gallisa = hoh-ZAY gah-YEE-sah | |
| Bayrakdarian = bye-rahk-DAH-ree-ahn | ||