Download House Programme (PDF, 8MB)

PROLOGUE
Pirate captain Conrad and his faithful crew sail across the high seas to Turkey.

ACT I: BAZAAR
Conrad and his men arrive at Lankendem’s noisy bazaar and he sees the beautiful slave girl Medora for sale. Conrad and Medora fall in love at first sight. When Seyd the Pasha, governor of the citadel, arrives, Lankendem presents some girls to him. The enigmatic Gulnare is introduced, and the Pasha buys her. Meanwhile, Conrad’s slave, Ali, steals Medora, and they attempt to escape, but Medora is stopped by Lankendem. Seeing her beauty, the Pasha buys her immediately. Conrad commands Ali to steal Medora, and the pirates to raid the village.

ACT II: THE GROTTO
Conrad shows Medora his grotto hideout, while his second-in-command Birbanto calls all the pirates to bring in their stolen bounty. Medora pleads for the slave girls’ freedom. While Conrad agrees, Birbanto rebels, causing a ferocious fight among the pirates. When Conrad triumphs, Birbanto sprays a rose with sleeping potion and forces Lankendem to give it to Medora, who unwittingly gives it to Conrad. When Conrad falls into a drugged sleep, the pirates return and attempt to capture Medora. Medora cuts Birbanto’s arm while struggling. In the confusion, Lankendem steals Medora and escapes. Stunned and broken-hearted, Conrad discovers Medora missing while Birbanto feigns ignorance and swears his loyalty to him.

ACT III
SCENE I – THE PASHA'S PALACE
The playful Gulnare is interrupted by Lankendem bringing in the veiled Medora. The Pasha is delighted that Medora has been recaptured and declares that she will become his number one wife.

SCENE II – JARDIN ANIMÉE
Delighted by all his exquisite women, the Pasha dreams of them in a beautiful garden.

SCENE III – THE PASHA'S PALACE
The Pasha is awakened by the arrival of Conrad, Birbanto and the pirates, disguised as pilgrims as they enter the palace. When they reveal themselves as pirates, chaos erupts! Conrad and his men victoriously chase away the Pasha and his entourage. Medora exposes Birbanto as a traitor, so Conrad shoots him. Afterwards, Ali helps Medora, Gulnare and Conrad escape to the ship.

SCENE IV – THE STORM
With Conrad at the helm with Medora in his arms, the pirate ship sails upon a calm sea. Suddenly, a fierce storm appears, destroying the ship and causing it to sink.

EPILOGUE
As the wind and sea subside, the moon illuminates Conrad and Medora, clinging to a rock and miraculously surviving, a testimony to the strength of their love.

Choreography: Anna-Marie Holmes (after Sergeyev/Petipa)
In a version by Anna-Marie Holmes
Music: Adolphe Adam, Léo Delibes, Prince Oldenbourg, Cesare Pugni, Riccardo Drigo and Baron BorisFitinhoff-Schell
(Re-orchestrated by Kevin Galie)
Libretto: Jules-Henri de Saint-Georges and Joseph Mazilier
(Based on The Corsair (1814) by Lord Byron)
Set & Costume Design: Hugo Millán
Lighting Design: Billy Chan