Libretto by Dmitrii Bryantsev
A Brief Account ob the Ballet
Prologue
Corsairs
are attacking a Turkish vessel. In addition to a rich haul, they have captured
prisoners/
Act 1
Scene 1
A holiday on shore
The shore
of a lagoon, to which the vessel of the pirates has docked after a successful
sail/
Conrad, the
leader of the corsairs, is observing the festivities. Birbanto, Conrad’s
assistant and best friend, is at the center of activities.
The
captured prisoners are brought out at the height of the celebration. Birbanto
distributes the female prisoners among his companions. The last attracts the
attention of Conrad himself. He asks all to leave and to be left alone with the
girl called Medora.
Mutually
tender feelings develop between Conrad and Medora. The happy rendesvous is
interrupted by Medora’s friends, who appeal to Conrad to protect them from the
corsairs flushed with wine. They beg Conrad to give them freedom. Medora also
asks that her friends he freed.
Conrad
grants their request. This decision infuriates Birbanto and his adherents. They
threaten Conrad, but Medora shields him with her own body from the corsairs
gone mad. At this moment, those faithful to Conrad appear and Birbanto retreats.
Scene 2
Conspiracy
Birbanto
and his cohorts join in a conspiracy against Conrad. They swear allegiance to
Birbanto.
Scene 3
Grotte
Medora is
anxiously awaiting Conrad. She is happy…
Conrad
appears. Again happiness. Again bliss…
Fleeting
moments of love. It is time for Conrad to leave. The lovers tear away from each
other. Medora remainds alone.
The
conspirators appear. Senseless resistance of Medora.
At the last
moment, Conrad returned and comes to her aid. A scuffle begins. From a
perfidious blow, Conrad falls and loses consciousness. Medora is carried away
by Birbanto’s band.
On
regaining consciousness, Conrad sees that Medora has been kidnapped.
Act 2
Scene 1
Seid-pasha Harem
Seid-pasha
enjoying the dances of his wives and slaves.
The
culminating moment arrives with the dance of his beloved wife Gyulnara. Her
dance ends in the passionate embrace of Seid-pasha.
Birbanto rushes
in with Medora. The sovereign is enraptured with the young slave and buys her
from Birbanto.
Trumpets
announce the arrival of an old dervish, a pilgrim respected by all.
During
prayers Birbanto recognizes the dervish to be Conrad in disguise. The
courageous corsair has come to the pasha’s palace to save Medora.
Birbanto
exposes his former leader. Conrad is taken away to a dungeon.
Gyulnara admires
Conrad’s courage and nobleness and decides to save the prisoner.
Scene 2
Conrad has
been put in irons. Gyulnara finds her way to him and brings dervish’s clothes.
She says
that she has fallen in love with him and proposes that he flee.
Conrad refuses
to flee. He must save Medora.
Gyulnara
gives the corsair a dagger. Conrad is again free and he has a weapon. He rushes
to save his beloved.
Gyulnara
remains alone in the dungeon.
Birbanto
bursts in, for he has followed Gyulnara. Seid-pasha himself has come with him.
Seeing that Conrad has been freed, the pasha kills Gyulnara.
Scene 3
Seid-pasha’s palace
A battle is
underway between Conrad’s followers and the pasha’s soldiers.
Conrad is
the victor in single combat with Seid-pasha.
The enemy surrenders.
Birbanto is brought in as a prisoner.
Conrad
commands that Birbanto be freed and proposes an honest duel with the traitor.
Conrad in
the victor. The corsairs drive away the disgraced Birbanto.
Medora and
Conrad are together again. Their hearts are filled with joy and love.
Epilogue
A vessel
carries Conrad and Medorqa away into the distance. They are free. They are
happy…
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