The English National Ballet, the prestigious London company founded in 1950 by former dancers of the Ballets Russes, has been invited to dance at the Paris Opera for the first time. Under the direction of the talented Spanish ballerina Tamara Rojo, who has led the company for two years now, the company is presenting one of the most famous ballets in its repertoire: Marius Petipa and Konstantin Sergeyev's version of Le Corsaire in a revival by Anna-Marie Holmes. This extravagant fantasy, first performed in Paris in 1856 with choreography by Joseph Mazilier, was introduced into Russia by Jules Perrot. In 1899, it was revived by Marius Petipa who transformed it into a spectacular and colourful grand ballet. The storyline, based on a poem by Lord Byron, sets the action in the ancient Turkish city of Adrianople.

The hot-headed corsair Conrad falls in love with the beautiful Medora, ward of the slave merchant Lankedem and coveted by the powerful Pasha. Isaac, a companion of Conrad, and Gulnare, a beautiful slave in love with the Pasha, join the intrigue. Abductions, shipwrecks, revolts, poisonings and reconciliations propel the dancers along on an epically romantic journey recounting the thwarted loves of the two heroes. The technically demanding choreography highlights the talents of the entire company.