Ballet
Le Corsaire
Le Corsaire is a swashbuckling adventure full of pirates, shipwrecks, and daring rescues. It has one of the most famous pas de deux in ballet, packed with soaring leaps and spins. If you like a story with plenty of action, this one delivers.
Fast facts
- Composer
- Primarily Adolphe Adam, with additional music by several other composers
- Choreographer
- Joseph Mazilier (1856 original); later definitive staging by Marius Petipa
- Premiere
- 1856, Paris Opera, Paris
- Structure
- Three acts
- Running time
- About 2 hours 30 minutes with intervals
The story
The pirate Conrad falls in love with a beautiful young woman named Medora, who is being sold in a bustling market. Conrad and his crew rescue her, but greed and betrayal among the pirates lead to kidnappings and double crosses. After a series of escapes and reunions, Conrad and Medora set sail together. In many productions their ship is caught in a dramatic storm and shipwreck before the couple survives to find happiness.
What Le Corsaire is famous for
- the Le Corsaire pas de deux
- high flying jumps and turns
- the pirate adventure story
- the dramatic shipwreck scene
Companies that perform Le Corsaire
Le Corsaire is in the repertoire of companies including American Ballet Theatre, English National Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Le Corsaire mean?
The title is French for the pirate or the privateer, which fits the ballet's swashbuckling story of Conrad the pirate and his crew.
Why is the pas de deux so famous?
The duet is a gala favorite full of spectacular jumps and turns, and it is often performed on its own even when the full ballet is not staged.
Does the music come from one composer?
No. The score was built mainly around music by Adolphe Adam but includes pieces by several composers added over the years as the ballet was restaged.
Who composed Le Corsaire?
Le Corsaire was composed by Primarily Adolphe Adam, with additional music by several other composers.
How long is Le Corsaire?
Le Corsaire runs about 2 hours 30 minutes with intervals.