Corsaire, Le

Prologue

Scene one
A SHIP IN THE STORMY SEAS
Three bold men on a sailing ship are fighting the mighty sea. The vessel sinks.

Act I

Scene two. THE LAGOON.
On the shore, near the debris of the ship brought to the shore by the waves, there are three young men who managed to save themselves. They are found by two Greek girls. Medora is particularly fond of one of them: Conrad. He talks about himself, about his friends Ali and Birbanto, confesses that they are the corsairs, or sea pirates. A squadron of Turkish soldiers approaches. Medora and Gulnare hide the corsairs, but themselves are taken as prisoners. The slave-trader Isaak Lankedem, who was following the girls and called on the squadron, is satisfied. He generously pays the officer. The corsairs swear to free the girls. Scene three. THE MARKETPLACE. Lankedem shows his females slaves to the merchants gathered at the market. The seat of honor is taken by Pasha Seyd, who wishes to get the beautiful Greeks into his harem. His attention goes to Gulnare and he buys her. The slave-trader shows Medora. She is so beautiful that Pasha Seyd is ready to pay any price for her. At that moment a noble merchant comes off a ship. Medora recognizes Conrad. Having given the girl a sign not to betray him, the merchant starts to negotiate, giving a high price which is unheard of. Pasha Seyd is impressed and asks the rich man to introduce himself. The merchant and his companions take off the dress clothes and appear in front of Pasha Seyd and the traders as armed corsairs. They abduct Medora, the female slaves, and Lankedem and go off to sea. The Turkish wards can’t stop them. Pasha Seyd is mad with fury.

Act II
Scene four. A GROTTO ON THE CORSAIR ISLAND The corsairs are happy with the rich loot seized from the merchants. In honor of the saved beauties they give a party. The girls enjoy the corsair dances. Then Medora dances with Conrad and his friend Ali. The corsairs are fascinated with the beauty of their leader’s chosen one. The girls ask Medora to convince Conrad to set them free and let them go home. Conrad agrees, but Birbanto and the rest of the corsairs object. They demand to leave the girls on the island. A quarrel ensues. Conrad manages to hold his ground. Together with Medora he goes off to see the girls leave for the shore. Meanwhile, the corsairs are approached by Lankedem. In exchange for his freedom he offers to help them take revenge on Conrad. The corsairs agree, and Lankedem gives them a sleep potion. Encouraged, Birbanto puts the potion on roses and asks Lankedem to give the bouquet to Conrad. Conniving Lankedem gives the flowers to Medora, and the girl gives them to Conrad as a sign of gratitude for liberating her friends. When Conrad falls asleep, the corsairs kidnap Medora. Having woken up, Conrad discovers the disappearance of his beloved, and he swears to find and set her free.

Act III
Scene five. PASHA SEYD’S HAREM Pasha Seyd is enjoying the beauty of Gulnare. New slave women, offered to him by Lankedem, do not interest him any more. Then in the beautiful and “lively garden” formed by the girls, the slave-trader presents Medora. Pasha Seyd is enchanted; he buys her. Disguised as pilgrims, the corsairs appear in the palace. Pasha invites the pilgrims for the evening prayer, and in one of them Medora recognizes Conrad. At an opportune moment the corsairs liberate the girls. Epilogue. A SHIP IN A STORMY SEA Conrad, Medora, and their companions are on a free ship, rushing off in full sale in a stormy sea to the new adventures…