La Bayadère
Natalia Makarova brings an exotic world of noble warriors and cruel princesses to the stage, making for an unforgettable evening.
Photos
Introduction
Nikiya, a temple dancer, has secretly sworn her eternal love to Solor, a noble warrior. When she rejects the attentions of the High Brahmin, he is furious and determines to have Solor killed.
News and features
Cast change: Yuhui Choe to dance as Gamzatti in La Bayadère on 6 May
First Soloist replaces Laura Morera in the role.
Cast change: Thiago Soares to dance as Solor in La Bayadère on 27 April
Brazilian Principal to replace Nehemiah Kish.
Cast change: Yuhui Choe to dance as Gamzatti in La Bayadère on 12 April
First Soloist replaces Laura Morera in the role.
Watch: Nehemiah Kish on La Bayadère
The American Royal Ballet Principal on the challenges of the role, and working with Natalia Makarova.
Your reaction: La Bayadère
Audience tweets from the opening night of Natalia Makarova's exotic ballet.
Cast change: Hikaru Kobayashi to dance in La Bayadère on 9 and 27 April
Japanese First Soloist replaces Lauren Cuthbertson.
Background
Marius Petipa’s exotic La Bayadère was given its premiere at the Bolshoi Theatre in St Petersburg in 1877. It was regularly performed within the former Soviet Union throughout the 20th century but was almost unknown in the West until 1961, when the touring Kirov Ballet performed the famous Kingdom of the Shades scene. Natalia Makarova saw the ballet as a child in Leningrad and created this version for American Ballet Theatre in 1980.
Legendary India provides the setting for a tale of love, murder and vengeful judgement by the gods, set to a lyrical score by Ludwig Minkus. The choreography provides powerful moments for the two opposing ballerinas – the beautiful temple dancer, Nikiya, and her jealous rival, Gamzatti – while a bronze idol comes vividly to life in a stunning solo. La Bayadère’s most frequently performed sequence is the dream-like Kingdom of the Shades, when a mesmerizing procession of ballerinas dance in unison across a moonlit stage. Opulent designs by Yolanda Sonnabend perfectly fit the ballet’s fevered exoticism.
Thanks to
Generous philanthropic support from
Lady Jarvis and The Royal Opera House Endowment Fund
How to support the Royal Opera House
Running time
About 2 hours 50 minutes | including 2 intervals. Act One will last for about 1 hour followed by a 25 minute interval. Act Two will last for about 40 minutes followed by a 20 minute interval. Act Three will last for about 21 minutes.
Credits
| Choreography | Natalia Makarova |
| Music | Ludwig Minkus |
| Orchestrated by | John Lanchbery |
| Production | Natalia Makarova |
| Set designs | Pier Luigi Samaritani |
| Costume designs | Yolanda Sonnabend |
| Lighting design | John B Read |
| Revival staging | Olga Evreinoff |
Related links
- www.youtube.com Watch: Nehemiah Kish on La Bayadère
- www.rohcollections.org.uk Costume and poster collections - La Bayadère
- en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia: La Bayadère
