Bizet’s opera, The Pearl Fishers, has the exotic setting of a quiet fishing village on the island of Ceylon in the time of antiquity. The plot revolves around best friends Zurga and Nadir, who swear an oath of friendship, vowing never again to let the love of a girl, Leila, come between them. However, when Leila returns, Nadir ignores his promise. Zurga wishes to kill them both but remembers an earlier act of loyalty and instead masterminds a selfless plot to save their lives.

The opera is filled with rich melodies, particularly the tenor and baritone duet 'Au fond du temple saint', where Zurga and Nadir swear their oath of friendship. This has become known to audiences as The Pearl Fishers Duet.