LES PÊCHEURS DE PERLES – BIZET
Presented on Dec 8, 10, 12 at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin as part of the Dublin Grand Opera Society’s Winter Season
Veronica Dunne – Leila
Rowland Jones – Nadir
Raimund Herincx – Zurga
James Pease – Nourabad
Napoleone Annovazzi – Conductor
Douglas Craig – Producer
“The Pearl Fishers” failed to sparkle despite Bizet’s gorgeous music, arias and duets. The production was described as dull with the first act particularly slow-moving. Welsh tenor Rowland Jones disappointed the critics as Nadir, though most of them agreed that baritone Raimund Herincx was an outstanding Zurga and Veronica Dunne was vocally impressive as the priestess Leila. Discussing “Rosenkavalier” and “Pearl Fishers” with her later on, she recalled her unhappiness at having to sing five performances on the trot. ‘I was a young singer and though I had lots of energy at the time, I still felt it was asking too much of me. We also needed a lot more rehearsal time for “Rosenkavalier” it is a lovely, if demanding opera, and you’ve got to stylise it and that takes time.’
(Extracted from “Love and Music: The Glorious History of the Dublin Grand Opera Society” by Gus Smith, 1998)
Opera in Ireland 