Because he had formerly won the Prix de Rome prize in composition, George Bizet (1838-1875) had the opportunity to write his opera LES PECHEURS DE PERLES (THE PEARL FISHERS) on commission. With a libretto written by Eugene Cormon and Michel Carre, it received its premiere in Paris at the Theatre Lyrique on September 30, 1863. It ran for eighteen performances, then was not performed again until after the composer's passing. Instrumentation: 2(1st/2nd dPicc)+1(Picc).2(2nd dEH).2.2: 4.0+2(Crnt).3.1: Timp.Perc(4-5): Hp(2): Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Banda (2Picc.2Perc.Harp): Vocal Soli (4 roles STBB): Chorus. Reprint edition.