Synopsis
Act I (the temple)
Solor enters with a party of warriors who have just returned from a successful hunt, having killed a great tiger. They will participate in the lighting of the sacred fire, and Solor hopes to see Nikiya.
The High Brahmin and his entourage of monks then enter, and the High Brahmin summons the Chief Fakir, (a fakir is a very devoted religious person - similar to a monk), who, with the other fakirs lights the sacred fire.
There are several dances of bayad'res and fakirs, then the High Brahmin sends for Nikiya, who enters, veiled. The High Brahmin removes Nikiya's veil and there is a solo for Nikiya.
When Nikiya finishes dancing the High Brahmin tells Nikiya of his love for her, and she refuses it, reminding him of his place in the temple.
After more dancing Solor and Nikiya meet and promise themselves to each other over the temple's sacred fire. Unknown to the lovers, the High Brahmin witnesses their oath and vows revenge.
Act II (a hall in the Rajah's palace)
The Rajah calls for his daughter, Gamzatti, tells her that she is to be betrothed to Solor. She is concerned at first, but after being shown a painting of Solor, falls madly in love. When Solor's arrival is announced the Rajah sends Gamzatti away to veil herself to meet her fianc"e.
When Solor arrives Gamzatti returns and is presented to Solor. When her veil is removed, Solor is overcome by her beauty and in a moment of forgetfulness, agrees to marry Gamzatti.
Shortly after, the High Brahmin arrives and tells the Rajah of Solor's previous commitment to Nikiya. Both Solor and Gamzatti overhear the conversation between the High Brahmin and the Rajah and Gamzatti sends for Nikiya. Meanwhile, to the High Brahmin's dismay, the Rajah decides to eliminate Solor's "double" love by killing Nikiya.
When Nikiya arrives, responding to Gamzatti's summon, Gamzatti is in the hall with only Aya, her servant. Gamzatti tries to get Nikiya to deny her commitment to Solor but Nikiya's true love for Solor will not allow her to do this. Gamzatti tries bribing Nikiya with jewels and intimidating her with her social position, but still Nikiya refuses. The conversation becomes more and more heated until in a moment of passion Nikiya seizes a nearby dagger and tries to attack Gamzatti with it. She is stopped by Aya, then runs away realizing what she has done.
Gamzatti then vows revenge in addition to the High Brahmin's vow of revenge and the Rajah's desire to kill Nikiya.
Act II Scene II (the palace gardens)
Many guests arrive to celebrate the betrothal of Solor and Gamzatti and there are several dances of Celebration.
Eventually, Nikiya is told to dance for the betrothed couple, and because it is her job as a dancer to do so, she does albeit very sorrowfully. When she is finished her dance Nikiya tries to leave but is stopped by Aya, who presents Nikiya with a basket of flowers and leads her to believe that they are a gift from Solor.
Nikiya dances again, this time joyfully with the flowers. But as she is dancing, Nikiya discovers a venomous snake hidden in among the blooms, which strikes and bites her.
As Nikiya is dying, the High Brahmin offers her an antidote to the poison on the condition that she will be his. However, since she sees Solor as happily engaged and she will not be able to be with him Nikiya prefers to die. As she dies Solor throws himself by her side in sorrow.
Act III (Solor's Apartment)
A flautist and a fakir are trying to cheer Solor, with little success. When Solor feigns sleep they slip out as quietly as possible. Solor then enjoys a hookah of opium on his divan, and starts to sense the presence of the shade of Nikiya.
Now begins the Kingdom of the Shades scene. The shades, (usually thirty two of them), enter down a zigzag ramp coming down the back of the stage. They take two steps into an arabesque in pli", then two steps to pose in tendue derriere. This short phrase of movement brings all of the shades on stage in single file. They zigzag down the ramp, then continue down the stage. The lead dancer has to repeat the phrase an incredible number of times, with the same leg every time. The first dancers develop an incredibly strong arabesque on one side.
The shades then dance, exhibiting superb corps work and several solos and smaller groups. Also, both the "Entrance of Nikiya" pas de deux and the Scarf pas de deux take place during this act.
The third act usually ends with the shades and Solor and Nikiya in a grand pose.
Act IV (the temple)
The Bronze Idol: Dressed only in a dance belt and headpiece, the dancer paints his entire body gold for this variation.
When Solor awoke from his dream of the shades he found Gamzatti still determined to marry him, and it is now their wedding day. As they are at the temple Solor thinks he sees the shade of Nikiya and is distracted. This upsets Gamzatti, but they continue with the wedding. Then, at the moment the couple is taking their vows the gods fill the temple with smoke and destroy it in anger over Solor and Gamzatti's false love, killing all within. Solor and Nikiya are happily reunited in the afterlife.
((Source: http://www.the-ballet.com/bayadere.php))
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