Metropolitan Opera Live in HD season opens with tale of love and betrayal in 'Les Pecheurs de Perles'

The Metropolitan Opera's 2016 HD line-up is starting in spectacular fashion with a production of Georges Bizet's "Les Pecheurs de Perles" ("The Pearl Fishers"), a piece which hasn't been seen at the Met in a hundred years.

Calling the production the potential "sleeper hit" of the current season, the critics are clearly of a mind that this title should appear on the schedule with much greater frequency. The current production of this oft-overlooked opera was originally created by the English National Opera in 2010 and directed by Penny Woolcock.

Compared to many operas, the plot of "The Pearl Fishers" is relatively straight forward. Set somewhere in the Pacific, supposedly Ceylon (today's Sri Lanka), the story is an old one, and one that often leads to a bad end. No exception will be made here, although there's much to be said for self-sacrifice.

We soon learn in a famous duet that two young fishermen -- both fast friends -- are enamored of the same young woman, Leila, a priestess of the Hindu god of creation. This role is sung by Diana Damrau.

The young fisherman, Nadir and Zurga, vow to put their friendship ahead of their feelings for Leila. Alas, such an idealistic pact is not to endure: When it is ultimately learned that Nadir and Leila have become lovers, the pair are condemned to death. Can Zurga save them? Will he?

The set has stirred considerable interest. The sea plays a significant role in this production, and the opening scene is said to depict three pearl divers swimming about on the bottom, suspended by wires.

This "sensitive and insightful" production was a great success in London and apparently is destined for the same fate in New York, where it will be running at the Met through Jan. 30. We can see the HD telecast in Macon and Centerville on Saturday.

"Les Pecheurs de Perles"

When: 12:55 p.m. Jan. 16

Where: The Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; and the Galleria Mall Stadium Cinemas 15, 2980 Watson Blvd., Centerville

Cost: $24 adults, $20 seniors and students

Information: www.metopera.org/hdlive

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Metropolitan Opera Live in HD season opens with tale of love and betrayal in 'Les Pecheurs de Perles' ."