The Bolshoi Ballet is back on the big screen at the Salmar Classic Sunday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m.
Petipa’s La Bayadère (meaning the temple dancer or temple maiden) tells the story of the bayadère Nikiya and the warrior Solor, who have sworn eternal fidelity to one another.
The high brahmin, however, is also in love with Nikiya and learns of her relationship with Solor. As well, the Rajah Dugmanta of Golconda has selected Solor to be the fiancé of his daughter Gamzatti, and Nikiya, unaware of the arrangement, agrees to dance at the couple’s betrothal celebrations.
In his effort to have Solor killed and have Nikiya for himself, the jealous high brahmin informs the rajah that the warrior has already vowed love to the bayadère over a sacred fire. But the high brahmin’s plan backfires when, rather than becoming angry with Solor, the rajah exclaims that it is Nikiya who must die. Gamzatti, who has eavesdropped on this exchange, summons Nikiya to the palace in an attempt to bribe the bayadère into giving up her beloved.
As their rivalry intensifies, Nikiya picks up a dagger in a fit of rage and attempts to kill Gamzatti, only to be stopped in the nick of time.
At the betrothal celebrations Nikiya receives a basket of flowers which she believes is from Solor, and begins a frenzied and joyous dance. The basket, from the rajah and Gamzatti, contains a venomous snake that bites Nikaya on the neck. The high Brahmin offers Nikiya an antidote to the poison, but she chooses death rather than life without her beloved Solor.
The gods avenge Nikaya’s death and the “shades” of Nikaya and her beloved are reunited.
Tickets are available at the Salmar Grand.
