ABT's "Le Corsaire" restaged by Marius Petipa with Additional Scores to Adolphe Adam's Music

The world premier for "Le Corsaire" choreographed by Joseph Mazilier's (b France 1801-1868)  to composer Adolphe Adam (b France 1803-1856) was in1856 at the Paris Opera House.  This would be Adam's last musical score for ballet.  This enduring & beloved classical ballet performed in 3 Acts.  It was entirely re-choreographed in 1899 by Marius Petipa (b France 1818-191).  Petipa was a French & Russian ballet dancer & arguable the most influential classical balletmaster & choreographer.  This full length ballet is regularly performed by major ballet companies throughout the world.  There are several dance sequences for which the ballet is highly acclaimed :  Pas de trois de Odalisques, Le Corsaire pas de deux and Le Jardin, Anime'.  ABT did a luscious staging except for the wimpy pirate ship that sinks at the end (no wonder).  I thought the costuming exquisite (but for contemporary bikini tutus at odds).   The ballet is a swashbuckling pirate adventure which also involves the slave trade of women (romanticized & the pasha made buffoonish).  There's a hearty romance between a handsome pirate & the beautiful & courageous Medora.  She's bought by the bumbling pasha for his harem.  Of course, to be rescued by the dashing pirate.  ACT I the pirate Conrad danced phenomenally with captivating power by Cory Steans.  Birbanto (Gabe Shayer) Conrad's ally & cunning foe, danced with extraordinary skill & flair.  Shayer is not at present a principal dancer.   Ali, Conrad's entrusted slaved (James Whiteside) dancing was sensational.  Hee Seo replaced an injured Veronica Part in the lead role of Medora.  Seo's fortes and fluidity were admirable.  I enjoyed the clever choreography for the ensemble pirate men & women although the clanking of wooden swords grew thin.  This is an old (made new again classical ballet).  It is frothy & at times overstuffed with dancers as in "Jardin Anime'.  However, bringing the next generation of dancers onstage should always to be encouraged.  For me, the piece de resistance from this lush production & inventive  choreography were the 3 Odalisques ballerinas.  They were absolutely breathtaking.