A full house bore witness to an evening of resounding success. The enchantment was profound, for the work had been long anticipated, still a rarity when set against Bizet’s greatest triumph, and the promises were enticing. The audience was not disappointed by the delicacy and meticulous care bestowed upon last night’s rendition of Les pêcheurs de perles at the Opéra de Massy.

First and foremost, the orchestra was guided with the utmost refinement under the baton of Robert Tuohy. His assured yet delicate gesture steered the Orchestre National d’Île-de-France to a state of evident inspiration, at the very height of its artistry, yielding moments of suspended beauty. Neither excessive nor lacking, but perfectly measured, like the strokes of a painter who knows and loves his subject enough to reveal its full splendour. Flashes of an orientalising lyricism – never forced -, imbued with sensuality, contrition and prayer, were woven seamlessly together to form a mosaic in which the countless tableaux of Les pêcheurs de perles were rendered with astonishing clarity.

Eric Perez offers a pared‑down staging, setting in dialogue a reality that might be likened to present‑day Ceylon with the universal poetry of the work. A single set, where the enchanting play of lights (by Joël Fabing and Simon Gautier), the video projections (Clément Chébli), and the graceful movements of a veil, embodying both tangible elements (the sand, its shifting motion) and impalpable ones (Leïla’s purity, her dreams and those of Nadir), suffice to establish the scenic splendour. As the score itself suggests dance, it is only natural to introduce dancers upon the stage: a pleasing idea to call upon the Compagnie par Terre, whose urban dance incarnates the figures evoked by the intoxicating chorus of the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Massy, joined by Fiat Cantus. Here too, the balance is masterfully assured, with the gift of creating an ethereal soundscape in their off‑stage interventions (Le ciel est bleu ! La mer est immobile et claire !), or else unleashing a murderous force when they proclaim Le jour bientôt va poindre aux cieux !

The vocal cast proved equally captivating, beginning with a naturalistic Nadir embodied by Sahy Ratia, whose purity of heart and honesty of intent shone through a luminous voice with effortless projection. Deep emotion accompanied his Je crois entendre encore, delivered with a simplicity at once disarming and profoundly moving. Erminie Blondel infused her Leïla with the myriad shades suggested by the score from candour to voluptuousness, through rage and resignation, ensuring credible transitions, enhanced by a radiant vocal performance (what emotion in her Ecoutez ma voix, écoutez ma voix! of gossamer beauty). As Zurga, Jérôme Boutillier once again offered a most brilliant performance: he stands among the finest representatives of that rare rank of artists whose work ennobles and elevates the great figures of the repertoire. How beautiful his Oui, c’est elle, c’est la déesse with Sahy Ratia, striking in grace, as well as the Oui, jurons de rester amis! To complete this tableau, the counterweight: the punitive darkness and inquisitorial fanaticism of Nourabad were defended with ardour in Patrick Bolleire’s superb performance. 

By presenting a work that remains little known, the Opéra de Massy offers its audience the chance not only to discover Bizet’s first opera, but also to take the full measure of a talent which, at only twenty‑five, was already manifest: his later works would confirm it beyond doubt. Delight, radiance, magnificence and, above all, emotion were guaranteed for nearly two hours, rendered with brilliance by a most felicitous combination of talents upon the Massy stage. We make our own the prayer of the heart, O Brahma, divin Brahma, que ta main nous protège !: may the auspices of the Gods ensure a complete success (already certain in our eyes) for the forthcoming performances of this spectacle.

******************************

LES PÊCHEURS DE PERLES

Robert Tuohy | Conductor · Thomas Tacquet | Choir conductor · Eric Perez | Stage · Ruth Gross | Scenography · Anne Nguyen | Choreography · Joël Fabing and Simon Gautier | Ligths · Clément Chébli | Video

Erminie Blondel | Leïla · Sahy Ratia | Nadir · Jérôme Boutillier | Zurga · Patrick Bolleire | Nourabad · Compagnie par Terre · Orchestre National d’Île-de-France · Fiat Cantus and Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Massy · Cover photo credits: ©Marc Chambon.

(For further informations) Link to the Opéra de Massy website: Les pêcheurs de perles