Le Corsaire

England. The old tavern «Corsair»; on the seashore. Among the passers-by – a poet, sailors, and a flower girl. A young lady appears surrounded by young men. The Poet buys roses from the flower girl and wants to gift them to the unknown beauty. But she, without paying any attention to him, disappears with her cheerful company. The disappointed Poet sits at a table in the tavern, holding the roses in his hands. The shorefront is emptying out. The innkeeper extinguishes the lantern. The poet falls asleep, going off into romantic dreams. And as if the dreams came true, the tavern undergoes a dreamlike transformation into the ship «Corsair», on which he becomes the swashbuckling leader of the corsairs. The wind pulls the sails. The ship is sailing towards adventure…

Illuminated by sunlight, a motley and crowded market in Adrianopolis. There are pompous merchants, including Isaac Lankedem, who trades in slaves. He is waiting for Seyd Pasha, who wants to replenish his harem with young concubines. Suddenly, corsairs fly into the square like a whirlwind, led by the brave Conrad, accompanied by friends – Birbanto and the faithful slave Ali. The best of Isaac’s slaves, the Greek Medora, is struck by the power of Conrad, and gives the leader of the pirates a rose. Discontent, Lankedem hides the girls from the uninvited guests.

The long-awaited Seyd Pasha appears in the square with his retinue and guard. Lankedem offers him oriental beauties who dance, trying to entertain the pasha. However, he is indifferent to them. The merchant displays the temperamental Gulnare, who catches the eye of the imperious Seyd. However, Lankedem asks him to wait a little longer – now he will show the pasha the most beautiful rose from his flower garden of slaves. All are struck by the beauty of Medora.

The pasha buys the beauty. Medora is in despair. She rushes to Conrad, who promises to save her. Seyd leaves the bazaar. Conrad orders the faithful Ali to catch up with Medora and bring her to him.

To distract the merchants, the corsairs, led by Birbanto, begin a dance with the girls and at the same time rob the merchants. The slave Ali returns with Medora. The corsairs, along with the looted jewelry and slaves, disappear. The crowded square is becoming empty. The alarmed and frightened Lankedem rushes into the market.

A grotto in a cliff by the sea – the refuge of the corsairs. Conrad brings Medora here. They are happy. The corsairs celebrate their victory. Medora asks Conrad to free her unfortunate friends.

Feeling the discontent of Birbanto and the corsairs near him, Conrad hesitates. The pleading of the slaves touches the leader’s heart, and he orders that the girls be released. Birbanto, outraged by this decision, rushes at Conrad, but he abruptly stops him and brings him to his knees.

Isaac sneaks into the grotto. He knows about the friends’ quarrel and suggests that Birbanto return Medora. Birbanto agrees. Isaac leaves a bouquet of roses sprayed with a sleeping potion.

The happy lovers return. Conrad, noticing the magical flowers, wants to gift them to Medora. But, inhaling the sleeping potion, he falls. Medora is in despair. She struggles with all her might to wake her beloved, but all her attempts are in vain. The disguised Lankedem appears, along with Birbanto and his minions, and they snatch away the young Greek.

Birbanto, not wanting to share the ransom, kills the merchant. He also tries to kill his former friend Conrad. But the slave Ali appears with the corsairs and the traitor escapes. Ali tries to wake the leader, and he slowly wakes up. Upon learning of the kidnapping of Medora, Conrad decides to immediately catch up and free his beloved.

The magnificent palace of Seyd Pasha on the banks of the Bosphorus. Gulnare is trying to cheer up the upset Seyd, who is saddened by the loss of Medora. Birbanto appears with a beautiful Greek woman. The Pasha rejoices. Medora is in despair. The only thing that comforts the girl is meeting with Gulnare. Seyd invites Birbanto to look at the beauties of the harem.

The Pasha is told that respected merchants with valuable gifts have come to the palace. He calls the unknown guests to show them the beautiful slave Medora. As one of the guests, Medora recognizes Conrad. The Pasha invites everyone to see the beautiful «flower garden» of his palace. It seems that the roses themselves have blossomed and turned into enchanting dancers. Gulnare, luring Seyd, takes him with her.

Conrad and Medora are left alone. Despair and joyful hopes envelope the lovers. Suddenly Birbanto appears, having followed them. He threatens Conrad, but faithful Ali rushes at Birbanto. The lovers run away.

The grotto of the corsairs. The girls are waiting for the return of their loved ones. Slave Ali brings Birbanto, who begs for forgiveness. Conrad agrees. But Birbanto wants to take revenge on Ali. Conrad comes to the rescue, and orders the execution of the insidious traitor.

Again the sea is angry. The ship of courageous corsairs sails to England.

It is dawning. On the promenade is the old tavern «Corsair». The rays of the sun awaken the Poet.
The promenade is filled with passers-by, among who are those he saw yesterday. A young lady who looks like Medora appears, surrounded by young admirers. The Poet gives the beauty the roses. She is surprised, but smiles affably, and, taking the flowers, walks on. And the Poet, full of memories of a magical dream, remains a captive to his dream.