Opera and Ballet SNG Maribor

Libretto: Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges
Based on the poem The Corsair by Lord Byron
Conductor: Farhads Stade, Simon Robinson
Coreographer: Aivars Leimanis

Written in 1814, Byron’s tale in verse The Corsair evinces the romantic interest in exotic places where time seemed to stand still in the infinity of the moment and where even the greatest fantasies could come true. This spirit is personified in the poet’s work by the figure of Conrad, a ship’s captain who has been banished from society and forced to become a pirate. A sudden twist of fate – the kidnapping of the beautiful Medora, with whom Conrad has fallen in love – sees the two lovers face a stern new test. In order to rescue Medora and free her from a life of slavery, Conrad and his friends plan an attack on Seyd Pasha’s harem and set off on an exciting adventure. The romantic ballet based on Byron’s verse-tale was created by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges in 1855 and orginally choreograped by Joseph Mazilier to music by Adolphe Adam, who had already won acclaim with his original music for the ballet Giselle fifteen years earlier. The first integral production of the ballet in Slovenia was staged in Maribor in April this year, with choreography by the renowned Latvian ballet director, choreographer and dancer Aivars Leimanis.