Opera in three acts.
Composer: J. Bizet.
Libretto: M. Carre and E. Cormoni.
Director-Producer: Honored worker of culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Khaydarali Kasymov;
Musical Director and Conductor: Honored cultural worker of Uzbekistan Fazliddin Yakubjanov;
The artist-producer: Honored worker of culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Zubaydullo Batyrov.
Performance duration: 2 hours 20 minutes.
The first premiere at the SABT named after A. Navoi was held in 1956.
The last statement on the stage of the SABT named after A. Navoi was held in 2010.
The action takes place on the island of Ceylon.
The first act.
Wild rocky coast of Ceylon. In the depths of the rock there are the ruins of an ancient Indian pagoda. The people: men, women and children. Some clean their huts, others dance and sing to the sounds of various Indian instruments. Fishermen, going to catch pearls, sing about the difficulties and dangers of their craft. The fisherman Zurga enters and, speaking to the islanders, says that it's time for them to leave dances and fun, and now it is necessary to elect a leader who would teach them their laws and be their protector and patron. The fishermen answer that they elect the leader himself, Zurga, and swear to him in obedience and fidelity. Zurga accepts the election and swears to be a good ruler. A friend of Zurga Nadir appears. Zurga hurries to meet him. Nadir, responding to greetings, says that he returns from a long journey, during which he hunted tigers and panthers, repeatedly putting his life in danger. Zurga and the people ask Nadir to stay with them and be their friend. Nadir expresses consent and says that he will share joy and sorrow with them. Zurga offers Nadir, before committing to affairs, give greetings to the sun, the sky and the seas and to take part in the general merriment. Dances and singing are renewed. Then the fishermen diverge in different directions. Zurga and Nadir remain alone. Zurga enjoys meeting with an old friend and asks Nadir if he remains true to his previous vows and whether he sees in him at present a friend or an enemy. Nadir replies that now he has already mastered himself in a miserable mad love. He had already cooled to that unknown virgin who, having appeared at one of the evenings in the temple, immediately enchanted with her heavenly beauty of both of them and lit the fire of passionate love in their hearts, making them enemies and rivals from that moment. Now the passion has settled in his chest, and nothing will separate them from now on. Nadir and Zurga swear to remain eternal friends. At this time, a young girl Leila, swathed in a broad blanket, is approaching the shore. She is accompanied by the priest Nurabad, fakirs, and sorcerers. Zurga, seeing Leila approaching from afar, says that he was waiting for her, and praises Brahma for her safe arrival. Asked by Nadir who exactly he expected on this beach, Zurga responds that he was waiting for a young virgin, a chosen one of the people, who, by vowing purity, is able, according to ancient belief, to save the islanders, pearl seekers, by her songs and prayers from evil spirits of the underwater kingdom, from misfortunes and storms on the sea. All fishermen and a large crowd of people come out to meet Leila, who gladly greet her. Women surround her and, offering flowers, ask Leila to be protection to them and to expel the underwater evil spirits by song. Zurga turns to Leila with the question of whether she will remain faithful to the vow not to take the covers off her face and live her maiden days without love. Leila swears. At the request of Zurga, Leila swears to pray day and night for her native people and drive it away from evil spirits with her singing. Zurga announces to her that if she fulfills her vow, she will deserve the biggest pearl as reward and may become worthy of the king, but if she changes her vows, she will be executed. At that moment Leila turned her attention to Nadir and, recognizing in him the same stranger who had made a strong impression on her already at their first meeting in the church during the evening service, slightly flinches and speaks silently "Ah! Here he is!" Zurga, noticing this, tells her that if, perhaps, criminal consciousness has awakened in her, it is better for her to escape from here and return to the former freedom. But Leila remains adamant and solemnly declares that she remains with the priests praying for Brahma for fishermen of protection and mercy. Hearing Leila's voice, Nadir wants to rush to her, but suddenly stops, trying to hide his excitement. According to the sign of Zurga, Leila is guided along a narrow path leading to the ruins of an ancient temple. Nurabad and fakirs follow her. The people pray and then diverge in different directions. Fishermen leave the shore, going to sea for their own fishing. Zurga, holding out her hand to Nadir, leaves with the last group of fishermen, leaving Nadir alone. It's getting dark. Nadir sings about love for Leila, which flared up in him with a new force under the influence of a sudden meeting. But fatigue takes precedence over his feelings; he lays down on the mat and immediately falls asleep. Leila, accompanied by Nurabad and the fakirs, appears on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea. Fakirs kindle a fire in front of the temple. Nurabad with a wand holds a magic line in the air, then fan the flame and offers Leila to sing her prayer at the blazing fire. Leila, turning to the ruler of heaven and earth, the all-powerful Brahma and to the goddess Siva, the golden-haired queen, asks them to hear her prayers. Nadir, waking up, recognizes the voice of his beloved. He creeps cautiously to the foot of the rock and quietly exhorts Leila not to be afraid of anyone, since he is ready to give his life for her. Leila, leaning towards him, slowly lifts the veil from her face. Nadir enthusiastically whispers her tender words and assures her of love. Leila does not hide her feelings for Nadir and pours them in her song.
The second act.
The inner part of the ruins of an Indian temple. Leila and Nurabad, accompanied by fakirs, appear on the terrace, between the ruins. Nurabad reports to Leila that the boats with the fishermen have already landed on the shore and that their pearl fishing has already been completed this night, so that she can now rest here. Leila asks with fear, whether he can leave her here, in this wild country, alone. Nurabad calms her down, saying that she has nothing to be afraid of, since from the sea side the terrain is protected by impregnable steep cliffs, and on the shore stay his formidable guard in camp. Then he tells her that if she remains true to her vow, then there is no terrible danger to her. Leila says that she has already kept her oath, taking the risk of her own life. It was in childhood. One day a man ran into her house, who was praying for a temporary shelter, fleeing from the bandits. She took pity on the stranger and hid him, when suddenly the villains broke into the house and, threatening to kill her, demanded the extradition of the fugitive. But she did not extradite him, for she swore to save his life. When night came and the danger was over, the rescued stranger left her house and gave her a pearl necklace in parting. So, having kept an oath, she saved the life of a person. Nurabad reminds Leila to remain true to the new vow, remembering that she will have to answer for everything before Zurga, and, leaving, orders her to pray. Leila prays, asking Brahma to be her protection. Nurabad with fakirs go away. Leila looks around with fear and says that she is afraid of something and can not fall asleep. Then she glances toward the terrace and, remembering Nadir, is freed from fear. She says to herself that her beloved Nadir will not leave her in danger and probably will be here soon. A premonition does not deceive Leila; indeed, at this moment Nadir's voice is heard behind the stage, which sings that he came to guard Leila's peace, and that he seeks her with all his heart, ready to give his life for her. Nadir, cautiously making his way between the ruins, appears on the terrace and rushes to Leila. Asked by Leila how he decided, risking his life, to get here, Nadir replies that he, inspired by love, disdained danger, and God defended him. Leila was afraid to leave in fear, otherwise they both perished, because she gave a vow of virginity and renounced earthly love. But Nadir asks her to calm her fear and forgive him, saying that while they are alone, and until the morning time is long, and no one will hear them. Leila again asks him to leave and spare himself and her, but he stays and with bitterness reproaches her for not understanding his passion. Leila assures him of his feelings, and both sing a love duet. After another reminder of Leila, Nadir leaves, agreeing to meet her tomorrow night again. They part. Suddenly a shot rang out behind the stage. This is a guard, having discovered the appearance of a man, sounded the alarm. Leila cries out and falls to her knees. Nurabad and fakirs come running in and chase after Nadir. The whole people are gathering, who in perplexity asks what happened. Leila falls into a swoon. Nurabad returns accompanied by fakirs with torches and explains to the people that this sacred refuge was visited by some bold criminal. At this time, the guard leads Nadir. Pointing to him and Leila, Nurabad says to the people: "Here they are, guilty, before you!" The furious crowd demands for them a terrible execution – burning in fire. Nadir, addressing the crowd, asks to spare Laila and execute him alone, because he alone is to blame. Fishermen rush to hit both criminals, but Nadir shields Leila with her breast and saves her from the fury of the crowd. At that moment, Zurga appears and orders the crowd not to touch the criminals. Fishermen in disbelief retreat. Nadir and Leila are surprised by the nobility of Zurga. Zurga advises Leila and Nadir to flee immediately. Nurabad tears the veil off Leila, saying that before she retires, she must show her face to everyone. Looking at Leila, Zurga recognizes in her the subject of his long-standing passion – the very singer in the temple who once lit the flame of love in his heart and almost made him an enemy of Nadir. He immediately changes his mind. A vengeance plan ripens in him, and he declares to the people that now he can not spare the criminals and they must perish by a terrible death. Nurabad and the people demand execution for the guilty. A strong thunderclap is heard. A thunderstorm breaks out. The people fall in fear on their knees and pray for Brahma together with Nurabad. By the sign of Zurga, Nadir is being taken away by fishermen. At the same time fakirs take Leila with them.
The third act.
The first scene. Indian tent. Zurga lays inside it, immersed in thought. He can not fall asleep, and he is haunted by terrible ghosts and beats fever. With an expression of despair, he admits to himself that he sentenced Nadir, his childhood friend, to death only under the influence of a blind passion in Leila. Currently, he regrets his cruel sentence, dictated by a sense of revenge, and would like to correct his mistake, while there is still time to do it. The execution of Nadir and Leila should be made early in the morning. In a fit of remorse, he mentally turns to Nadir and Leila and asks them to forgive him, deprived of the happiness of love, his insane rage. At this time, Leila appears, guarded by two fishermen. Former love for Leila once again flares up in the heart of Zurga at the sight of her. Leila asks permission to talk with him privately. Zurga orders the fishermen to go out. Leila tearfully asks the Zurga to pardon Nadir, for he is innocent, and to execute her alone, the real criminal. Zurga replies that she can not spare Nadir, because Leila loves him. Leila again asks him to give life to Nadir, but Zurga rejects all her pleas, saying that he is jealous of her for Nadir, since he loves her. Explaining to her in love, he complains and resents the fact that she loves Nadir, while Zurga is hated by her. Leila repeats her request for clemency, but Zurga is implacable and decides that both of them – Nadir and Leila – must die together. Leila curses the Zurga. Nurabad appears, accompanied by several fishermen. Cries of joy and a merry noise are heard in the distance. Nurabad reports to Zurga that the hour appointed for execution is already near, and that the people are waiting for her to have fun and rejoicing. Leila with a cry "The last hour has come!" removes from his neck a pearl necklace and passes it to a young fisherman asking him to take it to her mother, promising to pray for him in heaven. Leila is being taken away. Zurga hastens to the young fisherman, pulls out the necklace from his hands and, recognizing in it the necklace that he once gave as a gift to the girl who saved him from the bandits, cries out, amazed at this unexpected discovery that Leila was his savior. Then he hurried after Leila.
The second scene. The wild valley, in the middle of which the fire is laid out. Indians dance, drink wine and sing in chorus in anticipation of the execution of apostates. Leila and Nadir enter in fetters, preceded by high priests, led by Nurabad. At this time the entire horizon illuminates with a red glow. The Indians take this glow for the dawn and are preparing to begin the execution, sweeping swiftly with daggers. Leila and Nadir are already going to climb to the first stage of a burning fire, when suddenly Zurga runs in and declares that the sky, illuminated by the glow of the sky, is not the dawn, but the real glow of the fire that God sent in anger to their villages and fields. He encourages everyone to hurry to the place of fire to save from the death their children and domestic fellows. The people hastily run away. Nurabad stays alone with Zurga, Leila and Nadir. Throwing a few fragrant herbs on the sacred fire, he hides under the cactus to overhear what Zurga will say. Unaware that they are spying on him, Zurga frankly tells Nadir and Leila that he has lit this fire with his own hand in order to give them freedom and save them from punishment. He shows Leila the necklace he took from the fisherman, and tells her that he saves her now in gratitude for the salvation she gave him once. Then he removes the shackles from Nadir and Leila and declares them free. Nurabad, who has heard everything, is running to report the incident to the people. Leila and Nadir, embracing, sing about their deliverance, about the expectation of their happiness of mutual love, which bound them by inseparable ties. Zurga, seeing how Leila and Nadir happy, how they love each other, says that he is ready to go to death to save them, and advises them to immediately flee until the morning comes. While Nadir and Leila run away on the right path to Zurga, Nurabad and the people after him break into the scene on the left. Nurabad points to the people at Zurga as a traitor who deliberately arranged this fire to save the criminals from execution, destroying their forest, pastures and fields now, and demands retribution for him. The people doom Zurga to death penalty, rushes to him and drags him to the fire. Zurga, already standing in the flames of the fire and saying goodbye to life, says that he is giving his life for Leila. The fire is burning. The fire in the forest is all inflamed, and the glow increases. One can see a grandiose picture of a burning forest in the distance.
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