Ludwig Minkus and Marius Petipa’s La Bayadère is one of the crown jewels of the Russian Imperial stage, a masterpiece that has inspired generations of ballerinas to embody the tragic heroine, Nikiya. Created in 1877 with a libretto by Sergei Khudekov, the ballet quickly gained legendary status. Every great prima dreamed of the role—an opportunity to dazzle with flawless technique, lyrical expressiveness, and profound dramatic artistry.

Renowned ballerina Natalia Makarova offered her own staging of La Bayadère in 1980. Less pompous and crowded than Petipa’s original, her version preserves the work’s essential poetry and grandeur. Its success has been so enduring that it has been adopted by many of Europe’s most prestigious theatres.

Do not miss the unique opportunity to witness this legendary ballet live on the Moscow stage — a performance where tradition, mastery, and dramatic beauty come together in perfect harmony.

ACT 1

Scene 1. The Sacred Forest surrounding the Temple

Warriors return from a tiger hunt, escorting Solor, the bravest and most noble warrior of the land. Solor asks to be left alone to pray to the Sacred Fire, but as soon as his retinue departs, he summons the chief fakir, Magdaveya, and requests a secret meeting with the temple dancer Nikiya. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of the priests and the High Brahmin, who orders Magdaveya to gather the fakirs in preparation for the Festival of the Sacred Fire.

The bayadères (temple dancers) appear, among them Nikiya, chosen to undergo the rite of initiation and become the High Bayadère. The High Brahmin is struck by her beauty and declares his love for her. Nikiya, however, rejects the advances of a man devoted to the gods. Humiliated by her refusal, the High Brahmin is consumed with anger.

The festival begins. The dancers bring water to the fakirs, and Magdaveya secretly passes Solor’s message to Nikiya. She agrees to meet him but quickly dismisses Magdaveya, fearing the Brahmin’s suspicion. When the ceremony ends, all withdraw into the temple. Magdaveya leads Solor to wait in the forest until Nikiya arrives. Soon she comes, and before the Sacred Fire the lovers swear eternal fidelity. Unseen by them, the High Brahmin witnesses the scene. Enraged, he calls upon the gods to help him destroy Solor.

Scene 2. A Room in the Palace

At the palace, Solor is honored for his bravery. The Rajah announces that as a reward, Solor shall marry his daughter, Gamzatti. He unveils her, and Solor is dazzled by her beauty. Despite his vow of eternal love to Nikiya, he falters under the Rajah’s command and Gamzatti’s charms.

The betrothal celebration is interrupted by the arrival of the High Brahmin. He demands a private audience with the Rajah and reveals Solor’s vow to Nikiya, hoping the Rajah will kill Solor. To his shock and despair, the Rajah instead decides that Nikiya must die. Overhearing their conversation, Gamzatti summons Nikiya. She attempts to bribe the bayadère with gifts and jewels to renounce Solor. Nikiya refuses. In desperation, she seizes a dagger and lunges at the princess, but Gamzatti’s servant Aya restrains her. Horrified, Nikiya flees. Gamzatti, like her father, vows that the bayadère shall perish.

Scene 3. The Palace Garden

Festivities for the wedding of Gamzatti and Solor take place. The High Brahmin brings Nikiya to perform. Heartbroken, she dances with sorrow and longing. Aya presents her with a basket of flowers, allegedly a gift from Solor. Hope flares in Nikiya’s heart, but hidden in the basket is a venomous snake, placed there by the Rajah and Gamzatti. When Nikiya lifts the flowers to her face, the snake bites her.

The High Brahmin offers an antidote, but as Nikiya sees Solor departing with Gamzatti and the Rajah, she chooses death over life without him.

ACT 2

Scene 1. Solor’s Tent

Crushed by grief over Nikiya’s death, Solor smokes opium brought by Magdaveya in an attempt to ease his sorrow.

Scene 2. The Kingdom of the Shades

In an opium-induced vision, Solor sees Nikiya’s spirit in the Kingdom of the Shades. Her image multiplies endlessly in a procession of white-clad bayadères. He recalls her dance of love before the Sacred Fire.

Scene 3. Solor’s Tent

Warriors arrive to prepare Solor for his wedding. But Nikiya’s image still haunts him, tormenting his heart.

ACT 3

The Temple

Beneath the statue of the Great Buddha, the Golden Idol dances as the High Brahmin and priests prepare for the wedding of Gamzatti and Solor. The bridal pair enters. Bayadères perform the ritual Candle Dance, symbolizing the Sacred Fire burning outside the temple.

The Rajah, Gamzatti, and Solor join the ceremony, but Solor is pursued by the vision of Nikiya, seen only by him. Suddenly, a basket of flowers appears, identical to the one that caused Nikiya’s death. Stricken with terror and guilt, Gamzatti urges her father to hasten the vows.

At the altar, the High Brahmin begins the rite, but Solor cannot bring himself to pronounce the sacred oath. The gods, enraged, destroy the temple. The building collapses, burying all beneath the ruins.

In eternity, the spirits of Nikiya and Solor are reunited in everlasting love.