With its narrative of buccaneering bravado, exotic opulence, romance and traitorous intrigue, Le Corsaire is one of the most impressive narrative ballets of the 19th century, and it remains one of Adolphe Adam’s best-known works. Director of the Wiener Staatsballett, Manuel Legris, has choreographed a new version that draws on the rich performance traditions of Russia and France, and carefully combines spirited action, Adam’s delightful music, choreography, scenery and costumes into an elegant and impressive production which brings to life the colourful events that surround the leading couple of Conrad and Médora.

This video recording captures an entirely new and much acclaimed choreography by Manuel Legris. Legris has simplified and streamlined the antiquated original libretto for this ballet, brought his peripheral cast out of the shadows and taken on the challenge of delivering a new approach to this exciting story while respecting the outline and intention of Lord Byron’s original poem.

In his ‘Attitude’ blog, Ricardo Leitner wrote ‘Luisa Spinatelli’s décor and costumes are a beautiful work of art and delicacy… Mr. Legris’ work and legacy to the Ballet world, already immense, increased enormously after last night’s world Premiere.’

Picture format: NTSC 16:9
Sound format: PCM Stereo and DTS 5.0
Language: English
Region code: 0 (worldwide)