Le Corsire (The Pirate) is a ballet in three acts, with a libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges derived from the poem The Corsair by Lord Byron. Originally choreographed by the Ballet Master Joseph Mazilier to the music of Adolphe Adam. First presented by the Ballet du Théâtre Impérial de l´Opéra in Paris on 23 January 1856. The ballet has many celebrated passages which are often extracted and performed independently - the Grand Ballabile known as Le Jardin Animé, the Pas d'action known as the Pas d'Esclave, and the classical trio known as the Grand Pas de Trois des Odalisques. The most celebrated excerpt is the so-called Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, which is among classical ballet's most iconic and performed excerpts.
Scenario for the Kirov/Mariinsky Ballet's version of Le Corsaire (by Pyotr Gusev and Yuri Slonimsky)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Corsaire
Characters
- Conrad -- Captain of the corsair ship
- Ali -- Conrad's slave
- Birbanto -- First mate, and Conrad's friend
- Lankendem -- Slave dealer
- Medora -- Young Greek woman
- Gulnare -- Young Greek woman and Medora's friend
- The Seid Pasha -- A Turkish nobleman
Prologue: Shipwreck
A groups of Mediterranean corsairs (pirates), led by Conrad, Birbanto, and the slave Ali are caught at sea in a fierce storm. Soon, their great ship sinks.
Act I
Scene 1: The Sea-Shore Conrad and his friends are washed ashore. Young Greek women appear, led by Medora and Gulnare. They soon discover the shipwrecked corsairs, and immediately Medora and Conrad fall in love. But soon the women become aware of impending danger, and quickly hide the corsairs. A patrol of Turkish traders, in league with the villainous slave dealer Lankandem, are hunting for beautiful woman to sell as slaves. The Turks soon capture the young Greek women, and are paid handsomely by Lankendem. They soon head off to the slave market in a Turkish bazaar, and the corsairs vow to rescue the unfortunate maidens.
Scene 2: The Slave Market Amidst the bustle and barter the wealthy Seid Pasha turns up at the slave market to purchase beautiful young slave women for his harem. Lankendem shows off all of the fruits of his travels from foreign lands, and though he extols the beauty of captive maidens from Palestine and Algeria, the Pasha is not interested. Soon Lankendem presents Gulnare, who enchants the Pasha. Gulnare and Lankendem dance a Pas d'action (the Pas d'esclave). He then pays handsomely for her as she is carried off to his harem. But Lankendem has saved his greatest spoil for last - the beautiful Medora. The Pasha soon makes his offer, but is soon outbid by an unknown trader, who is Conrad in disguise. Conrad then wins Medora and whisks her away, followed by her fellow captives. In the confusion the Corsaires also take Lankendem captive.
Act II
The Corsaire's Cave Conrad and his fellow corsairs take Medora and her fellow maidens to their cave filled with treasure. At the height of the celebrations Medora and Conrad declare their love, and Ali vows to be Medora's devoted slave. The three dance a Grand Pas Classique (the Grand Pas de Deux à Trois or Le Corsaire Pas de Deux). The woman ask Medora to intercede on their behalf so that they may be released. Conrad promises to free them, but Birbanto and his friends protest, and a fight breaks out. Conrad keeps his word and releases the woman. Lankendem, who has witnessed the conflict, strikes a deal with Birbanto and his friends - in exchange for his freedom, he informs them of a potion that, when sprinkled on a flower, can immideiately induce sleep. Birbanto and his friends agree. Conrad and Medora return, relishing in the chance to be alone together. Lankendem then offers Medora a bouquet of flowers to give to Conrad. Conrad then smells the beautiful flowers and falls asleep. Soon, Lankendem, Birbanto, and their cohorts capture Medora. Conrad then awakes, and he and Ali vow to save her once again.
Act III
Scene 1: The Seid Pasha's Harem Gulnare is being fêted by the Pasha, and she is enjoying herself. Lankendem soon arrives and presents the Pasha with three woman of ideal beauty to entertain the harem. They dance a Pas de Trois Classique (the Grand Pas de Trois des Odalisques). Soon Lankendem carries in the greatest prize - Medora. Though she is very sad at having been captured once more, her spirits are lifted when she is re-united with Gulnare.
Scene 2: Le Jardin Animé Medora, Gulnare, and the woman of the harem join together to dance a fantastical Grand Ballabile in which they celebrate beauty, grace, and harmony in a garden filled with flowers and magic fountains.
Scene 3: The Rescue Afterwards, the Pasha is warned that mysterious pilgrims have arrived. The pilgrims arrival coincides with the evening prayer, which is conducted by the leader, who is really Conrad in disguise. Their true identity is soon revealed, and they take revenge on the Pasha, his men, and Lankendem. They rescue Medora and Gulnare.
Epilogue
Medora, Conrad, Gulnare, and Ali set sail for new adventures, certain this time of lasting happiness.
