Le Corsaire
Choreography · Joseph Mazilier (1856)
music by Adolphe Adam (original 1856 score), with later additions by Cesare Pugni, Léo Delibes, Riccardo Drigo, and Prince Pyotr Georgievich of Oldenburg
The corsair Conrad falls in love with Medora, a young woman sold into slavery by the merchant Lankendem to the powerful Seyd Pasha. Conrad and his pirates abduct Medora and her fellow captives, but treachery within his own crew allows her to be recaptured and delivered to the Pasha's harem. Disguised as pilgrims, Conrad and his men infiltrate the palace to rescue her, aided by Medora's friend Gulnare, and the lovers escape to his ship. The ballet ends with the corsairs' vessel caught in a storm, from which Conrad and Medora alone emerge alive.