"Le Corsaire"
Bolshoi Ballet
Opera House
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington, D.C.
June 17, 2009
by Alexandra Tomalonis
copyright 2009 by Alexandra Tomalonis
Like many of the few surviving 19th century ballets, "Le Corsaire" has had many lives. Inspired by a poem by Byron, born in France (1856) as a vehicle for Carolina Rosati with choreography by Joseph Mazilier and a score by Adolphe Adam, "Le Corsaire made its way to St. Petersburg shortly thereafter, where first Jules Perrot, then Marius Petipa, staged several versions. The production that the Bolshoi Ballet is presenting this week is based on Petipa's last version, from 1899. The sets (by Boris Kaminsky) and costumes (by Yelena Zaitseva), are based on the 1899 designs, and are gorgeous. The corsairs (pirates) are dressed in Greek costumes -- white shirts and skirts over dark red trousers and boots; the women's dresses in the character dances are not only beautifully designed but have flow, and their tutus, especially in the Jardin Animé scene, manage to look old-fashioned without being fussy, and eminently danceable. It's a beautiful production, and the company dances it with a zest and confidence that makes you love them.