La Bayadere by Addison Wilson

History of La Bayadere: (Ryniah C.)

addisonwilson2 — 2023-11-16 19:09:07 UTC

La Bayadere is a classic ballet, set in Royal India, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and performed to music composed to music by Ludwig Minkus. The first production debuted in 1877, it was held at the Imperial Bolshoi Kamenny Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. Temple dancer, Nikyia loves the warrior Solor, but the High Brahmin desires her. Although, there is some controversy around this ballet because of its look at Indian culture. Many believe the culture in the ballet is misconstrued to fit the Western European view. Whereas, in reality, it is a culture much more complex than it is portrayed. Even throughout its controversy, it is still considered a loved ballet all around the world. La Bayadere was created especially for the benefit performance of Ekaterina Vazem, Prima Ballerina of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatre. Maria Petipa spent over 6 months staging La Bayadere. The word Bayadere is French for Indian temple dancer, originating from the word ballar, meaning dance. The ballet was first performed in 1877 with the original cast including Ekaterina Vazem as Nikiya, Lav Ivanov ad Solor, Nikolai Goltz as the Great Brahmin, and more. It's a tale of love, betrayal, and redemption and is considered one of the best-loved classical ballets of all time.

Synopsis: (Addison W.)

addisonwilson2 — 2023-11-16 19:10:00 UTC

To start, this ballet revolves around a temple dancer named Nikyia, who is loved by a warrior named Solor, whom she loves. She is also loved by the High Brahmin but does not love him back. In Act 1, the High Brahmin, priests, and temple dancers are celebrating the Indian Ritual of Fire. Nikyia is then chosen to be the lead temple dancer, while the High Brahmin pronounces his love for her. But is rejected. Later that night, Nikyia and Solor vow their love to each other over the "Sacred Fire". They are discovered by the High Brahmin, who promises to kill Solor. In the next scene, the Rajah rewards Solor and demands that he marry his daughter, Gamzatti. Once the two meet, they fall in love at first sight. Even though he already declared his eternal love to Nikyia, he does not want to disobey the Rajah's wishes. Eventually, The High Brahmin informs the Rajah of Solor and Nikyia's secret love. Once he finds out, the Rajah decides to kill Nikyia. This conversation is overheard by Gamzatti. She attempts to bribe Nikyia to give Solor up. Nikyia refuses and tries to kill Gamzatti. Once Nikyia flees, Gamzatti swears to destroy her. In the next scene, the celebration of Solor and Gamzatti, Nikyia is ordered to dance. Gamzatti then gifts her a flower basket that Nikyia believes is from Solor. When she opens the basket, a deadly snake bites Nikyia. When offered the antidote, she refuses and dies. In Act Two, Solor is devastated. He dreams of being reunited with Nikya in the Kingdom of the Shades. Once he wakes, he prepares to marry Gamzatti. During Act Three, this dream stays in Solor's mind. As they are saying their vows, God's wrath is unleashed. The temple is destroyed, along with all its people. In the end, Nikyia and Solor are united with eternal love.

Video clip 1 and theme: (Ryniah C.)

addisonwilson2 — 2023-11-16 20:02:37 UTC

In this scene, Nikiya and Solor share the stage. The High Brahmin, temple dancers and the priests are celebrating the Indian Ritual of Fire. Nikiya is known as the most beautiful bayaderes and has been chosen as the lead temple dancer. During the ritual, the High Brahmin declares his feeling of love towards nikiya but she rejects him and instead, confesses her eternal love over the Sacred Fire with Solor. The High Brahmin becomes jealous of Solor. He was so upset, that he ended the Indian Ritual of Fire. He leaves followed by the Bayaderes, Priests, and Servants. Since, Solor was still gone Nikiya plans to return to see him later. The two secretly meet later that evening and share a meaningful dance between each other. Their love is shown greatly through this scene of them. The theme I chose for this variation is "Everlasting Love." For example, at 0:11, Nikiya and Solor hug and swing together. This shows the audience the connection and happiness they are experiencing in that moment. Later, we even learn they end up together in the after-life. However, after sharing this moment together they are warned that the High Brahmin will return. When the High Brahmin learns this news, he looks out from the temple and sees the lovers together. Angry, He makes a vow to kill Solor.

Video clip 2 and theme: (Addison W.)

addisonwilson2 — 2023-11-16 20:03:00 UTC

In this scene, Nikiya is dancing at Solor and Gamzatti’s party. She was just named the lead temple dancer and is now dancing at her ex-lover's wedding celebration. This dance is also just before she gets killed by the snake hidden in the basket, which Gamzatti gave to her. Nikiya is distressed, overwhelmed, and sad which you can clearly see through her dancing and choreography. Earlier in the ballet, Solar and Nikyia vowed their love for each other over the sacred fire, and now she is watching him with his future wife. The theme I chose for this variation is “Heartbreak of Betrayal”. This theme fits due to the dancer's portrayal of emotion. The dancer shows how distraught her character is through her faces and extra movements throughout the choreography. For example, at exactly 2:00, she releases her arms and they fall to the ground. This shows how she is exhausted and just wants Solor to love her. Another example is at 2:16, she is begging the Gods to let her suffering stop. Her pain and agony is too much for her to bear. Solor betrayed her and ignored the promise they made to each other. The audience takeaway should be how overwhelmed with emotion Nikiya is and how upset she is. Even through the screen, the audience can just see how much pain is welling up inside her.

References: Addison and Ryniah

addisonwilson2 — 2023-11-16 20:03:27 UTC

American Ballet Theater. “ABT - La Bayadère.” American Ballet Theatre, https://www.abt.org/ballet/la-bayadere/. Accessed 16 November 2023.

Noe Leilani - Nikiya Death Scene Variation 1st Place YAGP Boston 2020, Youtube, Uploaded by Noe Leilani, March 12, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do0k3Fo68wY&t=81s

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance. “Bayadere The Ninth Life - 12 Things You Didn't Know About La Bayadère.” Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, https://www.shobanajeyasingh Accessed 19 November 2023.

Wiley, Roland John, and Boris Asafiev. “La Bayadère.” The Marius Petipa Society, https://petipasociety.com/la-bayadere/. Accessed 19 November 2023.

La Bayedere - Nikiya and Solor, Youtube, Uploaded by Philidelphia Ballet, March 26th, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drcmSSLjx5w