In a seaside village in the Far East, a veiled priestess arrives to bless the pearl divers. But the catch in this story involves much more than pearls – worlds collide as one of the village men realizes the woman behind the veil is none other than Leila, whom both he and his best friend love and swore an eternal oath to never touch again. When he breaks his vow, life will never be the same. Georges Bizet’s gem of an opera makes its Straz Center debut this season.

The Pearl Fishers is sung in French with English translations projected above the stage.

Jorge Parodi will lead an international cast along with the Opera Tampa Orchestra and Chorus.