The Ballet Site

Act I. Scene I. Outside the Temple in the Sacred Forest: The High Brahmin, priests, and temple dancers are celebrating the Indian Ritual of Fire. Nikiya, the most beautiful of the bayadères (temple dancers), has been chosen to be consecrated the lead temple dancer and she and the young warrior, Solor, are very much in love. The High Brahmin, too, declares his love for Nikiya, but is rejected by her. The jealous High Brahmin swears his revenge.

Act I. Scene II. A Room in the Palace: The Rajah decrees that his daughter, the beautiful Gamzatti, will marry Solor. When the High Brahmin informs him that Solor is deeply in love with Nikiya, the Rajah becomes enraged and swears his vengeance against Nikiya. Gamzatti has overheard the conversation between her father and the High Brahmin, and commands her slave to bring Nikiya to her. Gamzatti tries to bribe Nikiya with money and jewels to renounce Solor. Nikiya refuses and attempts to stab Gamzatti, who swears her vengeance upon the temple dancer.

Act I. Scene III. The Garden of the Palace: At the betrothal of Solor and Gamzatti, Nikiya is commanded to dance. Gamzatti presents her with a basket of flowers which Nikiya believes to be from Solor, and which conceals a deadly snake. Nikiya is bitten, and when Solor leaves with Gamzatti, she refuses the proffered antidote and dies.

Act II. The Tent of Solor: Solor, grief-stricken and under the influence of opium, dreams of being reunited with Nikiya in the Kingdom of the Shades. Awakening, he realizes that he must prepare to marry Gamzatti.

Act III. The Temple: During the wedding festivities in the temple, a vision of Nikiya appears to Solor. He kneels to her in repentance. The ceremony begins, and when Gamzatti says her vows to Solor, he says his to his vision of Nikiya. The infuriated gods destroy the palace and bury everyone under its ruins. The spirits of Nikiya and Solor are reunited in the Kingdom of the Shades.