La Bayadère
Eternal love and fate in a choreographic story by Chiara Ajkun set in the mystery of India.
Location
Ajkun Ballet Theatre at Ballet Arts
130 West 56th Street #6th floor New York, NY 10019Refund Policy
About this event
La Bayadère
Exploring the exotic culture of India and its traditions is not small task. The ballet by Chiara Ajkun is a journey through a romance of pride and mysteries set in this magnificent country as perceived by Petipa in the 19th century. The visually intoxicating colors of costumes of iconic Indian design set the backdrop for the tale of love, death and revenge of bayadère Nikiya and warrior Solor and the spectacular choreography.
This performance is part of the Face to Face Series.
The Story: Nikiya, the most beautiful of the bayadères*, is to become the lead temple dancer. During the sacred Ritual of Fire, the High Brahmin (Kazantsev) sees his love rejected by Nikiya (Burbine) and vows to kill Solor (Tafaj), the warrior loved by the bayadère. The Rajah decrees to reward Solor with his daughter’s hand, Gamzatti (Jeong, Takeshima). Gamzatti has fallen in love with Solor’s portrait, and he is overwhelmed by her beauty. Informed of Solor’s secret love, the Rajah decides to kill Nikiya. Gamzatti tries to bribe Nikiya to give up Solor but Nikiya, instead, tries to kill Gamzatti. Nikiya is to dance at the engagement, and Gamzatti hides in the Bayadère’s flowers a snake that kills her. Grief stricken, Solor finds solace in opium. As the vengeance of the gods unleashes, Nikiya and Solor are united in eternal love. [*temple dancers]
Choreography: Chiara Ajkun after Marius Petipa
Music: Ludwig Minkus
Libretto: Sergei Khudekov
Performing Company: Ajkun Ballet Theatre | www.ajkunbt.org
No intermission. Attendees must have a ticket. No Door Sales.
The Face to Face Series is an intimate and fully immersive live experience in iconic ballets where charming dancers and poetic music transport the audience inside the journey.
Hosted by Artistic Director Chiara Ajkun and Ballet Arts Center for Dance in the intimacy of the Rudolf Nureyev Studio, located at the 6th floor of the historic landmark The City Center, the series offers performances in close proximity of the dancers, complimentary photos with the cast and a meet-and-greet the performers and fellow dance enthusiasts at the end of the show. There are no Door Sales.
Proceeds benefit "A Ticket To Dream" offering free tickets to underprivileged members of our community and supports showings in-Children Hospitals.
For Inquiries about the show, please email ajkun@aol.com or call + 1 (347) 346-9951.
Classical ballets are of greatest importance in the Ajkun Ballet Company’s repertory and revisited by Chiara Ajkun with the greatest respect for the original intention of the choreographer and composer. Two centuries later, Ajkun believes ballets to be more enjoyable in a concise form – hence her interpretation of the classics in one-act versions.
History: based on Sergei Khudekov’s libretto, “La Bayadère” (“the temple dancer”) was a great success since its original performance in St. Petersburg in 1877 as a benefit for Russian Prima ballerina Ekaterina Vazem who danced Nikiya. Notably, Vazem went on to become the ballet teacher of Anna Pavlova. Modern versions of the ballet derive from the 1941 redacted version for the Kirov/ Mariinksy Ballet by Vladimir Ponomarev and Vakhtang Chabukiani. Natalia Makarova brought the ballet to the United States, with her full-length production of La Bayadère staged for American Ballet Theatre in 1980.
Frequently asked questions
All patrons, including small children sitting in laps, must have a ticket to enter the venue.
No, there are no door sales.
VIP Premium: the best seats in the show. Front Row: as close as you can get to the show, seats are sideview with no obstruction, and you can see the entire show. General Admission: still a great view, slightly farther, second, third and fourth rows.
Patrons can freely choose their seats within the area of their ticket purchase.
There are no restrictions, and children are welcome.
We recommend that you arrive 10-30 minutes before your scheduled event to have plenty of time to get comfortable in your seat. Patrons are seated 30 minutes before curtain.
We do our best to accommodate late comers but cannot guarantee it. Under extreme circumstances (e.g., extreme weather conditions) and depending on availability, we may allow the patron to attend on another date.
Tickets sales are final. There are no refunds. Ticket non-refund terms and conditions are agreed to before purchase. Proceeds from unused tickets fund "A Ticket To Dream", a program offering free admission to our underprivileged communities.
Under extreme circumstances (e.g., extreme weather conditions) and depending on availability, we may allow the patron to attend on another date. Rescheduling is not guaranteed and may only be offered for the same experience, event title, and for selected dates.
Yes, you can transfer your tickets to anyone for free.
Patrons with limited mobility requiring access to the elevator at street level, please email ajkun@aol.com or leave a voicemail at + 1 (347) 346-9951 at least 3 days before the event you are planning on attending. Our Staff will contact you to make the necessary arrangements.
Step-free wheelchair spaces and companion seats are available in the VIP Premium section. Please email ajkun@aol.com or leave a voicemail at + 1 (347) 346-9951 at least 3 days before the event you are planning on attending. Our Staff will contact you to make the necessary arrangements.
Some shows feature smoke/haze effects produced by quick dissipating water vapor that is deemed not to be harmful and not to reduce oxygen levels. If you have a special respiratory condition, we recommend you check with your health provider before attending.
Shows in the Face To Face Collection allow patrons to take photos and videos of the show and with the performers at the end of the show. The Theater Collection does not allow the taking of pictures or filming.
Use of any Ajkun Ballet ticket acknowledges your willingness to appear in photographs and videos taken in the public areas of the venue and releases Ajkun Ballet Theatre from the liability for the use of such photographs and images.
Organized by
New York City premiere ballet company
Ajkun Ballet is internationally renowned for its world-class performances of traditional classical ballets and riveting new choreography by artistic director and multi-award winner choreographer Chiara Ajkun.
The Company’s extensive repertory spans from 19th century classics to compelling new choreography performed in its New York City Theaters and on National and International Tours.
Ajkun Ballet Theatre regards multiculturalism and diversity as enrichment to society and a necessity for human’s progress. Our Dancers Roster reflects these beliefs.