La Bayadere, the first orientalised classical ballet

by Gwen Herat

The original version of the ballet in Russia was titled Bayaderka produced in 1877 with music by Minkus and choreographed by Sergei Khudekov and M. Petipa. It was mounted at the Maryinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg with Wazem. Based on the legendary writer, Kalidasa's Sakunthala, the ballet unfolds the story of the Bayadere Nikia who is in love with Solor, but he gets engaged to Gamzatti, a daughter of a Rajah.

Gamzetti is jealous and wishes to own Solor for herself and sends Nikia a basket of flowers, concealing a snake. Bitten by the serpent, Nikia dies. The devastated Solor dreams of meeting her in the Kingdom of Shades. At the wedding of Solor and Gamzatti, the temple collapses burying them under the ruins.

In later productions the last act was omitted. But there is a full length production lying in the repertory of the Kirov, but it consists of only the last act of Kingdom of Shades considered one of Petipa's masterpieces at choreography. It was first performed in the West by the Kirov Ballet in 1961. Two years later, Rudolf Nureyev reproduced it for the Royal Ballet in 1963, and later on in 1974 Markova produced it for the American Ballet. Still later, Paris Opera Ballet debuted it by T3 Taglion to Auber's music.

Costumes

Naturally, costumes play a major role in orientalising the ballet's character, but dancing remains in classical form.

The original La Bayadere was recognised as a major creation, replete with tremendous effects especially with the hypnotic entry of the Shades and the procession which marked the opening of the second act where 230 characters were involved along with an elephant on which Solor made his entrance.

This enshrined many of the grandest attitudes of the ballet in imperial Russia with massive resources, brilliant classical ensembles dazzling the ballerina roles, that of Nikiya and Gamzatti in great artistry and academic skills enhanced people's response.

La Bayadere remained quiet at St. Petersburg repertory though shorn in 1919 of its final act in which the shade of Nikiya appears at the wedding ceremony of Solo and Gamzatti when the Gods punish Gamazatti and her father by destroying the temple at which the wedding was taking place.

New version

Moscow Bolshoi Theatre boarded it for the fist time in 1904 with Lynbov Roslaveva as Nikiya and Mikhail Mordkin as Solor in a production by Alexander Gorsky and in 1917 a new version was seen at the Moscow Theatre. In 1930, the illustrious ballerina marina Semyonov made her debut as Nikiya and today she remains a guardian of its first traditions for her pupils in Moscow. In 1941 after a special performance for the soldiers before they left for the front, La Bayadere was dropped from the Moscow repertory.

It was not until 1991 that the ballet was revived by Yury Grigrovich in a new production. He maintained the same designs for the staging as used originally at St. Persburg in 1877.

The 3 – act ballet

When hunting a tiger a group of warriors led by Solor requests fakir Magdaveya Magdaveya to tell Nikiya who is one of the sacred dancers in the temple that he wished to see her. At that moment, the chief Brahmin of the temple appears with his priests to begin worship.

The sacred dancers and fakirs (bayaderes) join them along with the beautiful Nikiya. The chief Brahmin declares his love for her, but she rejects, reminding him that he is a priest.

The Bayaderes bring water for the fakirs and Magdavya seizes the opportunity to tell that Solor is waiting for her outside the temple. Nikiya meets Solor and expresses her love for him. Solor swears fidelity over the sacred fire while the chief Brahamin overhears their conversation and vows vengeance. He invokes the Gods to help him destroy Solor.

In his palace the Rajah Dugmanta tells his daughter that she is to marry a warrior. The Rajah sends for Solor and tells him he has to marry his daughter, Gamzatti. Solor is bewitched by her beauty, but remembers the sacred vow he made to Nikiya. At a ceremony following the betrothal of Solor to Gamzattim Nikiya too is invited to dance.

The Chief Brahamin arrives for an audience with Rajah and Gamzatti overhears their conversation and learns that Solor is in love with Nikiya. Without hurting his daughter, Rajah decides that Nikiya must die. But the Brahamin protests. Gamzatti orders her attendant to bring Nikiya before her. She sees how beautiful Nikiya is. She shows a picture of Solor to her, but nothing can make her change her mind to give up Solor. She is offered with gifts of gold and jewels, but is prevented in doing so.

Act 2

At the festivities to celebrate the wedding of Solor and Gamzatti, Nikiya has to dance. The fakir gives a basket of flowers to Nikiya saying it is from Solor and hidden among the flowers is a poisonous snake. Nikiya realises that it is Gamzatti who has contrived the wicked deed. She is dying, but the Brahamin offers an antidote to save her life in exchange for her love which Nikya refuses, saying she will remain faithful to Solor.

Act 3

Solor is devastated and filled with remorse while the fakir, Magdaveya tries to distract him with a sacred dance. Solor sinks into a world of dreams and sees a vision of the ghosts of Bayaderes descend from the heights of the Himalayas. Among them is Nikiya who dances with him, reminding him of his vow to her. Solor awakes from his dream and hastens to the temple to ask the Gods to forgive him. But it is too late. The angry Gods destroy the temple and at last Solor is able to follow the shades of his beloved Nikiya.

Ever since La Bayader has had different versions by different choreographers, remaining within the story limit. This version is by Marius Petipa.

[Credits]

Libretto - Marius Petipa and SergeiKhudekov
Music - Ludwig Minkus
Choreography - Marius Petipa
Revival and additional choreograph - Yuri Grigovich
Choreographic passages - Vakhtang Chabukiani and Nikolai Zubkov

Reconstruction of the original 1877

design - Valery Leventhai
Sets - Valery Firsov and Nikolai Sharonov
Costumes - Niloai Svirdchik
Nikiya - Anna Antonicheva
Solor - Niloai Tsislaridze