Le Corsaire
Hello Again!
This past weekend was so stressful yet so rewarding. My home studio, Madison, finally put on the production of Le Corsaire. In case you don't know the story of Le Corsaire, I've explained it down below. My part in the show was Odalisque #1. We did the whole pas de trois which included the beginning, variations and coda which were in the first scene. Our rendition of the ballet included three scenes in one act and a second act not related to Corsaire but a repertory show of six dances.
Le Corsaire Plot (Our Rendition):
In summary, Scene 1 consisted of pirates who shipwrecked in a village and try to join in the festivities the day before the Pascha's birthday. While in the village, the pirates meet silk sellers, flower merchants, villagers and young pirates that they take under their wing as pirates in training. Then, Medora and Gulnare, two best friends, wander into the village square and Medora tries to befriend the new pirate visitors. Gulnare disapproves at first but finally gives in and befriends the pirates as well. The Pascha comes into the village to see what all the fuss is about and starts to joke around with M&G. Then the odalisques, friends of M&G, run in to join the fun. After they are done dancing and joining in, everyone begins to trickle off to bed and the Pascha falls asleep on a bed of pillows made by his assistants.
Scene 2 is the garden scene, which takes place in the Pascha's dream. He dreams of a big birthday celebration where many people come and dance in his garden including Medora, Gulnare and the three Odalisques. That is all that happens in Scene 2.
In scene 3, the Pascha wakes up on his birthday sad that no one came to celebrate with him. He sulks for a while until he sees the Odalisques beckoning to him and dancing for him a little. He follows them into his house where a big party is set up. In come the flower merchants, silk sellers, pirates is training and villagers, each carrying a gift for the Pascha. The big pirates come and crash the party and the Pascha is pleasantly surprised by the new guests. Trying to make up for the din caused by the pirates, the Odalisques waltz in (literally) followed by Medora and Gulnare. After a little more dancing and celebration, the ballet ends with smiles all around.
Le Corsiare Actual Plot:
This past weekend was so stressful yet so rewarding. My home studio, Madison, finally put on the production of Le Corsaire. In case you don't know the story of Le Corsaire, I've explained it down below. My part in the show was Odalisque #1. We did the whole pas de trois which included the beginning, variations and coda which were in the first scene. Our rendition of the ballet included three scenes in one act and a second act not related to Corsaire but a repertory show of six dances.
Le Corsaire Plot (Our Rendition):
In summary, Scene 1 consisted of pirates who shipwrecked in a village and try to join in the festivities the day before the Pascha's birthday. While in the village, the pirates meet silk sellers, flower merchants, villagers and young pirates that they take under their wing as pirates in training. Then, Medora and Gulnare, two best friends, wander into the village square and Medora tries to befriend the new pirate visitors. Gulnare disapproves at first but finally gives in and befriends the pirates as well. The Pascha comes into the village to see what all the fuss is about and starts to joke around with M&G. Then the odalisques, friends of M&G, run in to join the fun. After they are done dancing and joining in, everyone begins to trickle off to bed and the Pascha falls asleep on a bed of pillows made by his assistants.
Scene 2 is the garden scene, which takes place in the Pascha's dream. He dreams of a big birthday celebration where many people come and dance in his garden including Medora, Gulnare and the three Odalisques. That is all that happens in Scene 2.
In scene 3, the Pascha wakes up on his birthday sad that no one came to celebrate with him. He sulks for a while until he sees the Odalisques beckoning to him and dancing for him a little. He follows them into his house where a big party is set up. In come the flower merchants, silk sellers, pirates is training and villagers, each carrying a gift for the Pascha. The big pirates come and crash the party and the Pascha is pleasantly surprised by the new guests. Trying to make up for the din caused by the pirates, the Odalisques waltz in (literally) followed by Medora and Gulnare. After a little more dancing and celebration, the ballet ends with smiles all around.
Le Corsiare Actual Plot:
"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."
(Taken from BalletandOpera.com : {http://www.balletandopera.com/?perfomance=763&page=catalog})
*As you can see, our rendition is not the same as the original but this is because our version had to be appropriate for younger audiences and younger dancers.*
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