The Pearl Fishers is an opera by Georges Bizet. The libretto was written by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré. It was first performed in Paris on 30 September 1863. The opera is set in ancient Ceylon, which is now called Sri Lanka. It tells the story of two men who are best friends, but love the same woman, who is a priestess. It was generally disliked at the time, especially by the newspapers. After his death, it has been more popular and is now regularly played across the world.