Die Bajadere

Act I Paris: It’s the night of the premiere of the operetta The Bayadere. Everybody is waiting for Odette Darimonde in the title role. Among her fans is Indian Prince Radjami, whose visit to the theatre greatly excites the theatre director and Pimprinette, his right-hand man. Marietta, a theatregoer, is equally curious. She leads a dull life by the side of her husband, chocolate entrepreneur Louis Philippe. She asks Napoleon, her suitor of three years, to introduce her to the prince. In order to make Marietta finally his, Napoleon has not only shed his real name but also invented travels to India – a fib that now promises to backfire. The only one who feigns no interest in Radjami is Odette. Not even his “flowers of love” and a spontaneous invitation to a party at his Parisian palace impress her. Radjami bets that despite her rejection, she will join him at the party tonight. The magic power of his love, so he claims, is stronger than her will. Enter Colonel Parker, representative of the British government in India, who reminds Radjami of his duty to return home and take a wife. To escape this order, Radjami throws himself into the party preparations. All of Paris is invited, but the host is only waiting for one guest … the bayadere.

Act II Radjami’s palace: while Marietta enjoys the attention of Napoleon, Radjami queries why Odette came to his festivities after all. Once again, he challenges her in a bet: later in the same night, she will write to him that she loves him. Laughingly, she accepts. If he should manage to make her do so, she will be his forever. Radjami announces his impromptu wedding to Colonel Parker. The only catch: he needs witnesses he knows from India. Perfect timing for
Napoleon’s entrance. He is happy to agree to their faux acquaintance but in return asks for advice on how to woo Marietta. The results are astonishing: not only does she finally succumb to Napoleon’s advances but also terminates her marriage to Louis Philippe … and proposes to Napoleon instead. Meanwhile, Odette admits to her affections for the prince, but instead of the woman, all he seems to see is her role, the bayadere. As the wedding ceremony begins,
Radjami seems to have won the bet. However, the letter Odette wrote does not contain a declaration of love but a rejection. The illusion is shattered.

Act III A bar: Marietta is gravely disappointed since she found out that Napoleon is anything but the globetrotter she took him for. Unexpectedly, she runs into Louis Philippe, who spends his time as a bachelor on the dance floor and expanding his business to India. Once again, she changes lovers, and the game begins anew … After work, Odette visits the bar, confiding in Pimprinette that she cannot take Radjami’s nightly visits to the theatre anymore. He promises
to ensure the prince’s departure from the country. In secret, however, he stages the grand operetta finale – with a happy end, of course.