The Orlando Ballet will capture audiences with the exciting, high seas adventure of Le Corsaire (April 23-25 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre), promising a tale filled with a plethora of swarthy pirates, disarmingly beautiful harem girls, dramatic pirate rescues and a disastrous shipwreck.
This dramatic love story unfolds over two acts as dueling pirates Conrad, the pirate leader, and his rival, Birbanto, vie for the affections of the beautiful Princess Medora, who has been captured by an opportunistic slave merchant. Filled with romance, bravado, deception and jealousy, the pirates embark on an elaborate rescue mission to reunite Conrad and his love.
Inspired by Lord Byron’s The Corsair, this performance is a classic production that first debuted in Paris in 1856 and has been staged all over the world from Russia to England. Le Corsaire has evolved into one of ballet’s most complex and intricate productions today, showcasing the extreme technical abilities of the Orlando Ballet dancers. Choreographed by Artistic Director Robert Hill, after Marius Petipa, Le Corsaire features music by the production’s original composer Adolphe Adam and numerous other composers who have contributed to the original score for each revival of the performance.
“We are so pleased to mark our return to the classics with Le Corsaire. It is a wonderful story that will enchant and enthrall with its dramatic storyline and moving performances,” said Hill. “From presenting Cinderella, a fairy tale classic, to our sensuous Battle of the Sexes, we truly have come full circle this ballet season. We look forward to presenting the Central Florida community with new and exciting shows in the seasons to come!”
The Orlando Ballet will also present The Persian Princess for its family series on Saturday, April 24 at 11am at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. The abbreviated version of the story is ideal for young audiences and the entire family to enjoy. Tickets for the family series performances are $16-30.
Tickets for Le Corsaire are available for all three performances: Friday, April 23 at 8pm; Saturday, April 24 at 8pm and Sunday, April 25 at 2pm, and range from $25-110.
For tickets, call the Orlando Ballet’s box office at 407.426.1739 or visit Ticketmaster.com.
For more information on the Orlando Ballet’s upcoming season, visit orlandoballet.org.
