Join Washington Concert Opera for The Pearl Fishers (Les Pêcheurs de Perles), Georges Bizet’s lyrical drama of love and friendship, written when the composer was just 24 years old. Commissioned after winning the prestigious Prix de Rome, this early opera premiered at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris. Set in ancient Ceylon, the story follows two men whose vow of eternal friendship is tested when they both fall in love with the same woman. With its evocative setting and unforgettable melodies—including the beloved duet “Au fond du temple saint”—The Pearl Fishers showcases Bizet’s remarkable gift for melody that would later reach its zenith in Carmen.