Le Corsaire: Finnish National Opera Ballet

About the Event

The Finnish National Opera presents the wonderful ballet "Le Corsaire" choreographed by Ivan Liška (after Petipa).

Medora, a young Greek girl, is sold as a slave to the Pasha; Conrad, a handsome pirate in love with her, aims to rescue her. After many twists and turns, the lovers escape the Pasha's palace and board a ship. But a storm is rising — will they get away?

Brimming with the exoticism of the South Sea, Le corsaire was premiered in Paris 1856. Its best‐known version, with choreography by Marius Petipa, was premiered in St Petersburg in 1899. The famous pas de deux in the latter is one of the most frequently performed numbers in gala concerts and ballet competitions because of its challenging and flamboyant choreography. The FNO production is one originally created in 2006 for the Bavarian State Opera Ballet by Ivan Liška, based on choreological notation dating from Petipa's time.

Choreography: Ivan Liška (after Petipa)
Music: Adolphe Adam, Léo Delibes, Cesare Pugni, Riccardo Drigo, Prinz von Oldenburg
Conductor: Aivo Välja
Sets and costumes: Roger Kirk
Lighting design: Roger Kirk