Le Corsaire
Le Corsaire is a ballet, the libretto Jules -Henri Vernoy de Saint -Georges wrote freely on the poem The Corsair by George Gordon Byron.
The nowadays presented choreographies from and is based on Marius Petipa's version of the work with music by Adolphe Adam and Léon Minkus. Petipa presented in the second half of the 19th century, several versions of the ballet, which he always added new parts.
Action
The site of action is on the coast of the Ionian Sea at a time when Greece was occupied by the Turks.
Prologue: shipwreck
The pirates, led by Conrad, Ali and Birbanto are surprised at sea by a storm and hold on to the sinking ship.
Act I:
Conrad and his friends are washed ashore, hauling in a hiding place and just barely missed the criminal slave traders Lankedem who is on human prey from. This assumes that he will soon make a discovery and goes to hire other conspirators to help. Young Greek women appear who are happy about the fact that they are at liberty. Led by Medora and Gulnara they discover the shipwrecked pirates, and Medora and Conrad fall in love with each other. But soon the women feel the emerging danger and urge the men back to their hiding place, as a Turkish patrol approaching. The Turks are working hand in hand with Lankedem and receive a generous reward for the capture of the women who are discharged then. The Pirates come out of hiding and vow to save them.
In the middle of all the hustle and bustle and barter at the slave market appeared on the rich silk Pasha. Lankedem presented him the ' fruits ' of his trips to foreign countries, and although he extols the beauty of the captive women from Palestine and Algeria, the Pasha has no interest in them. Then Lankedem Gulnara leads before, and from her the Pasha is thrilled. He paid a generous sum and can bring them into his harem. But Lankedem his greatest triumph has been canceled for last; as the Pasha Medora sees his enthusiasm is even greater. When he makes his bid, appears an unknown dealer, offering against him. It is Conrad in disguise, of Medora wins and it wears quickly, followed by the other women prisoners. Before the Turkish guards arrive to take Conrad's men Lankedem caught; the wrath of the Pasha about the latest gem lost his harem is large.
Act II: the cave of the pirates
Conrad and his men return in high spirits over their prank to her cave back; they have not only regained the women, but also looted treasures. At the climax of the festival Conrad and Medora confess their love, and Ali explained to Medoras ergebenem slaves. The women ask Medora to negotiate with Conrad for the release. Conrad then promises them freedom, but protest Birbanto and his friends, and it breaks a fight from. However, Conrad keeps his word and leaves the women free.
The trapped Lankedem who witnessed this conflict was, makes a deal with Birbanto and his pack. In exchange for his freedom, he tells them that a certain drink, sprinkled on a flower, immediately evokes deep sleep, and that this knowledge could be very useful. Conrad and Medora return from the festival and enjoy the opportunity to be together for a while. Birbanto Medora waving towards him and punches her right to give Conrad a bouquet of flowers as a token of gratitude for the release of her companions. Conrad smelling the flowers and immediately falls into a deep sleep. As a group of pirates surrounded the frightened Medora, take Lankedem for the second time the opportunity to kidnap her. Conrad wakes up again and vow to Ali and he rid Medora.
III. Act: Be Pasha Harem
Gulnara, venerated and admired by the Pasha, enjoys a good life, as no other woman is valued by him so. Lankedem brings three Odalisken that entertain the Pasha and his harem with a dance. Then Lankedem brings its greatest treasure, Medora. Again, the Pasha is fascinated by it. Medoras grief over the separation of Conrad is alleviated by the reunion with Gulnara. There are more women to make Medora and Gulnara in Le Jardin animé society. Fountains splash and flowers transform into this fantasy sequence in beautiful women. Medora dances with the flowers, Gulnara and Medora celebrate with the flowers grace, harmony and femininity.
The Pasha is just going with Lankedem the business (purchase of Medora ) is finally complete, as two of his men warn him that a mysterious group of pilgrims approaches the harem. The arrival of the pilgrims coincides with the evening prayer, and whose leader takes the lead. It is, of course, Conrad, this time in a different disguise, and soon after, he is reunited with Medora and Gulnara. His men take revenge on the Pasha and his people, and just before they leave the place again, they take Lankedem caught and facilitate him to his prey.
Epilogue:
Unverzagt put Conrad, Medora, Gulnara Ali and sail again in search of new adventures, this time for sure that luck is with them.
Famous passages
Some parts of the work are particularly well known and are often performed as part of ballets or competitions, including the "slave dance " ( Pas d' Esclave ) from the 1st Act or " The Living Garden " (Le jardin animé ) of the Act 3.
The most famous cut is likely to be the grand pas de deux from the second act, in which the slave Ali dancing with Medora. In the play context, it is a pas de trois ( threesome dance ), as well as Konrad takes part in the dance.
Photographs
Lev Ivanovich Ivanov as Conrad in Le Corsaire