Le Corsaire

Loosely based on the 1814 poem The Corsair by Lord Byron, this  classic ballet narrates the story of the passionate pirate Conrad who  falls in love with the beautiful Medora. When Conrad and his pirates  abduct Medora from a slave market to their secret grotto, the adventure  is just about to begin… 

ACT I

An Eastern bazaar – a hubbub of people and sights at the times when  the Mediterranean Sea was governed by the proud and merciless corsairs –  the Mediterranean pirates! The tricky trader Isaac sells his  foster-daughter – the beautiful Greek girl Medora to a lascivious man of  wealth, Pasha Seyd. A slave trader Ahmed maintains a large-scale erotic  business, supplying beys, sultans, and pashas with the most beautiful  girls from Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, Palestine… A flower seller  has a jolly dance and the summer air is shimmering with the haze of heat  and expectations of adventures.

Corsairs introduce an order and justice in this oriental world. Their  leader Conrad returns freedom to Medora, in order to lose his own heart  for her. Conrad’s friend Birbanto, in his turn, becomes a captive of  the eyes of the beautiful Turkish girl Gulnare.

ACT II

The Corsairs’ Isle. Corsairs and their girl-friends carouse and share  their stolen bounty. In the handsome Birbanto avidity prevails over  friendliness and companionship. Birbanto instigates corsairs against  Conrad. When his mutinous plan fails, Birbanto devises a cunning scheme –  to drug into sleep or to kill his friend. He succeds in capturing  Medora, but while struggling she cuts the masked Birbanto’s arm. Conrad  wakes, finds Medora missing and sets out to find her.

ACT III

Harem. Pasha Seyd enjoys life – he is entertained by his wives and  odalisques. Yet the most beautiful and unattainable is Gulnare. Isaac  brings Medora. Pasha Seyd is most delighted – the harem has gained its  most brilliant pearl. Pasha’s palace is visited by pilgrims. The time of  evening prayer is approaching. Pasha Seyd has no suspicion that the  pilgrims are disguised corsairs. Their pilgrims’ robes hide Conrad and  Birbanto – both Medora and Gulnare recognise them. A flash – and masks  are thrown off. Swords and daggers twinkle in the air – and Medora  together with Gulnare are safely in the hands of their beloved men. Yet  Medora notices in Birbanto’s hand a note left by her. It is him – the  traitor!

Corsairs’ ship. The emerald Mediterranean Sea set a backdrop for the  love idyll of Medora and the corsairs’ chief. The moment of happiness is  short, intense, and rich. Gulnare pleads for Conrad to forgive his  friend’s treachery. Let everyone be happy! The wind rises and turns into  a fierce storm. Corsairs’ ship sinks, only Medora and Conrad reach the  land…

Source: The Latvian National Opera