Paris Opera Ballet’s production of La Bayadere, now available on Blu-ray, was recorded in May 1994 at the Palais Garnier in High Definition.

This exceptional and critically acclaimed production of La Bayadère is the fully restored version of this classic Kirov ballet, the last work choreographed for the Paris Opera Ballet by Rudolf Nureyev before his tragic death in 1993.

Breathtaking sets and costumes are designed by Ezio Frigerio and Franca Squarciapino in this exceptional production, whose style is a dream of the Orient, of India and the Ottoman Empire, a mixture of different influences.

In creating his own version for Paris Opera Ballet, Nureyev made many amendments to the original Kirov Ballet version, and Paris now possesses one of the Kirov’s most precious but least known treasures, in a staging faithful to tradition but refracted through the eyes and thoughts of one of the greatest of that company’s sons. Nureyev long took its glory to the stages of the world and has now passed something of that glory to a generation of younger French dancers who grew up under his tutelage.

Synopsis
Exotic and mysterious India serves as the backdrop to this story of doomed love. The bayadere Nikiya loves the warrior Solor and is loved by him in return. Solor however is obliged to become engaged to Gamzatti, daughter of a Rajah. Gamzatti, aware that Nikiya is her rival, sends her a basket of flowers, concealing a snake. Bitten by it, Nikiya dies, and Solor, driven to despair by her death, takes refuge in opium-induced thoughts. The ghosts of dead bayadères appear to him in the Kingdom of Shades – among them is Nikiya who forgives him.

Cast:
- Nikiya: Isabelle Guérin
- The Fakir: Lionel Delanoë
- Solor: Laurent Hilaire
- The Rajah: Jean-Marie Didière
- Gamzatti: Élisabeth Platel
- The High Brahmin: Francis Malovic
- The Golden Idol: Wilfried Romoli
- The Three Shades: Agnès Letestu, Clotilde Vayer, Nathalie Riqué

Choreography and Staging: Rudolf Nureyev
Music: Ludwig Minkus (orchestrated Lanchbery)
Sets: Ezio Frigerio
Costumes: Franca Squarciapino

Approx Duration:130 mins
Picture format: NTSC 16:9
Colour
Region Code: All regions
Audio: L-PCM Stereo
Subtitles: None