The ballet tells the story of the love between Nikya – a bayadère (temple dancer)– and Solor, a warrior, who has been promised in marriage to Gamzatti, the daughter of a Rajah.

 

 

A High Brahmin, who also loves Nikiya attempts to have Solor killed by informing the Rajah that Solor has vowed eternal love to Nikiya. But his intentions are thwarted when the Rajah decides to have Nikiya killed. Gamzatti, who has eavesdropped on their conversation summons Nikiya and attempts unsuccessfully to bribe her to give up Solor. Their rivalry escalates and Nikya seizes a dagger to kill Gamzatti, who is saved by her servant. As Nikiya flees, Gamzatti vows that she must die.

 

 

 

 

Ekaterina Kondaurova (born August 20, 1982) is a Russian ballet dancer, currently one of the stars of the Mariinsky Ballet from Saint Petersburg. Tall beautiful and with aristocratic facial features and a noble performing style, she has brilliantly danced the variations in La Bayadere, Paquita and Don Quixote. The particular chic of her performance, the art of instant improvisation, the ability to “give of herself”- a queen of the demimonde, perhaps, but still a queen!- have made Kondaurova the darling of the public. 

 

2006: Prix Benois de la Danse, 2008: St. Petersburg's Golden Sofit award (Alma, Glass Heart), 2010: St Petersburg's Golden Sofit award (Anna Karenina), 2011: Golden Mask for her title role in Anna Karenina, 2011: Recipient of Ballet magazine’s Spirit of Dance award in the category “Star”

 

 

 

Oksana Skorik (born April 20, 1989) is a Ukrainian professional ballet dancer and Principal Dancer of the Mariinsky Ballet. She graduated from Perm School of Dance in 2007 and joined the Mariinsky Ballet the same year. She was the subject of David Kinsella's documentary A Beautiful Tragedy and was featured on RT Documentary's Ballet, Sweat and Tears.

 

Recipient of the Spirit of Dance prize in the category “Rising Star” (2012). Prize-winner at the XII International Ballet Dancers’ and Choreographers’ Competition in Moscow (2nd prize, 2013). Recipient of the Leonide Massine Prize in the category "Emerging Talent on the International Scene" (Positano, Italy 2014)

 

 

 

Graduated from the Uzbek School of Ballet in 1992. From 1992–1998 he was a soloist with the Moscow State Classical Ballet Theatre. He joined the Mariinsky Ballet Company in 1998. Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation (2008). Prize-winner at the International Ballet Competition Maya (St Petersburg, 1996). Diploma-recipient at the International Ballet Competition in Paris (1997).

 

He has performed at the National Opera and Ballet in Bulgaria and at the National Theatre of Japan in Tokyo. He has toured with the Mariinsky Ballet Company to Great Britain, Greece and China.

 

 

 

Born in Ashkhabad (Turkmenia). Graduated from Vaganova Ballet Academy (class of Prof. Valentin Onoshko). Joined Mariinsky Theatre in 1992. Became the First soloist in 1996.