Although many of us are familiar with the first act duet "Au fond du temple saint", this opera, first performed in 1863, this work as a whole has never achieved the renown of the work Georges Bizet (1828-1875) achieved with his subsequent opera "Carmen", although, as is the case with so many artistic works, future generations have been kinder to it than Bizet's contemporaries.

He was granted the commission on the strength of having won the highly-regarded "Prix de Rome", and it found favour with Hector Berlioz, as well as some members of the public, but the press was largely hostile.

Although cloaked with a veil of oriental mysticism and exoticism, being set in Ceylon, at heart this work calls on the trusted operatic and literary standby of a love triangle. The famous duet is sung in Act One, where Zurga (the elected leader of the Pearl Fishers) and his once-estranged friend Nadir swear that never again will they let their love for the same woman come between them.

Needless to say, it does. Their erstwhile lover, now in the guise of the virgin priestess Leila comes back into their lives. Nadir recognises her voice, and their love is rekindled.

In the end, though, after an act of mercy and self-sacrifice, it will be Zurga who is consigned to the funeral pyre.

There were probably good reasons for the opera's initial critical failure. The libretto was poor, and the plot depended on bizarre coincidence. But its return to the operatic canon is probably justified.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org