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La Bayadère

Ballet

Türk Telekom Opera Hall

3 Acts

Istanbul State Opera and Ballet is the harbinger of the bal-
let blanc that came after it, establishing meaningful con-
nections between the romantic and classical periods; it is
preparing to bring La Bayadère, one of its greatest ballet
works, to ballet lovers.

La Bayadère ballet, which will premiere on the evening of
January 14 in the magnificent atmosphere of Atatürk Cul-
tural Center – Türk Telekom Opera Hall, promises a lot to
ballet lovers with its plot set in India, its magical atmo-
sphere full of love and intrigue, the unique choreography
of Marius Petipa, the melodic appeal of Ludwig Minkus’
music, its scenes containing ostentatious rituals and ethnic
elements, and its excellent dances.

Ayşem Sunal Savaşkurt is performing the ballet La
Bayadère. La Bayadère, where ballet lovers will deeply feel
the spice-scented mystical and ethnic atmosphere of India with the decors of Efter Tunç, the costumes of Gülden Sayıl, the lights
of Önder Arık, will continue to meet with its audience on January 18, 21, 25, 28, 31, after its premiere on the evening of January
14.

Choreographer: M. Petipa
Staged and Arranged by: Ayşem Sunal Savaşkurt
Conductor: Zdravko Lazarov
Decor Design: Efter Tunç
Costume Design: Gülden Sayıl
Light Design: Önder Arık

The subject of the Work

The Almighty Brahman, priests, and temple dancers hold the Holy Fire Mass in India. Nikiya, the most beautiful of the temple
dancers, was honored as the chief temple dancer. The Almighty Brahman declares his love for Nikiya, but Nikiya refuses him and
secretly meets the noble warrior Solor at night. They dance together and promise each other eternal love over the Holy Fire. When
the jealous Almighty Brahman realizes the situation, he vows to kill Solor.

Rajah wants to reward Solor’s courage and orders him to marry his daughter Gamzatti. As soon as Gamzatti sees Solor’s portrait,
she falls in love with him, and when they meet, Solor is also fascinated by her beauty. Despite vowing eternal love to Nikiya, he
cannot resist Rajah’s request and decides to marry Gamzatti. The Almighty Brahman, hoping that the Rajah will eliminate Sol-
or, tells him about the secret love between Nikiya and Solor. However, Rajah decides to kill Nikiya. Overhearing this dialogue,
Gamzatti calls Nikiya to her room and tries to bribe her into giving up Solor. Nikiya, who rejects Gamzatti, goes crazy and tries
to kill her. Then Nikiya escapes, and Gamzatti vows to destroy her.
At Solor and Gamzatti’s engagement, Nikiya is ordered to dance. Gamzatti sends him a basket of flowers as a gift. Nikiya thinks
the flowers are from Solor. However, a poisonous snake is hidden in the flower basket. The snake stings Nikiya, and seeing Solor
leave with Gamzatti, Nikiya does not want to take the antidote offered to her and dies.
Solor is all alone in his room. He has completely surrendered to the sorrow of Nikiya’s death. He takes opium to relieve his pain,
and his hallucinations lead him to the Kingdom of Shadows. Here, the image of Nikiya and the memories of their love do not go
away before his eyes. After seeing Nikiya’s vision for the last time, he ends his life. Thus, Nikiya and Solor unite in eternal love.