Iain MacDonald, artistic director-designate of SABT/Mzansi Productions believes that Le Corsaire is the perfect production to showcase the new company, adding that one of the many aims of the company will be to expose audiences to the tremendous talent in South Africa.
“By presenting the South African premiere of Le Corsaire, I hope to offer our homegrown stars the opportunity to extend and challenge themselves with new repertoire. Le Corsaire is the ideal vehicle for this and I am thrilled with the commitment and passion with which the dancers have taken to the demanding classical choreography.”
The story is one of love besieged but ultimately triumphant, set to a rich score and glowing with classical ballet at its most irresistible.
Le Corsaire was made famous by the Russian revivals of it by Jules Perrot in 1858 and Marius Petipa in 1868.
The storyline of the ballet revolves around a young Greek girl, Medora, and Conrad, a charming corsaire (pirate), who fall in love with each other after a shipwreck. Medora is then sold to Pasha by a slave dealer. Medora and Conrad fight to find each other again and so the story unfolds.
Watch the SA premiere of Le Corsaire at theJoburg Theatrefrom 19 to 29 July, 2012.
July 9, SABC News chats to Michaele DePrince
July 18, SABC News attends a dress rehearsal
– By SABT/Mzansi
