Die Bajadere
Libretto by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald
Premiere: Carl-Theater, Vienna, December 23, 1921
Act I: Operetta diva Odette Darimonde is starring as an Indian temple dancer (a bajadere) in a production of La Bayadere at the Châtelet in Paris. Excitement is high, as it is reported that Indian Prince Radjami, heir to the throne of Lahore, will attend the next performance. Marietta, married to Louis-Philippe, is bored with him, but is attracted to Marquis Napoleon St. Cloche. When Napoleon claims that he has traveled to India and is on intimate terms with Radjami, Marietta insists that he arrange for her a meeting with the Prince. After watching the show, Radjami becomes smitten with Odette, gives her roses, and tells her that she will be unable to resist his magical charm. She laughs it off. Radjami is reminded by his aide that a bride has been selected for him back home and that he must return. Ignoring the order, Radjami sings the praises of champagne and silently gloats as a dreamy Odette appears, takes the Prince by the hand, and leads him to a waiting car.
Act II: In the drawing room of Radjami’s Parisian palace, Odette has fully succumbed to the Prince’s hypnotic lure. He tells her that, if he so wills, she will put in writing that her heart belongs to him. She admits that if it ever goes that far, she will admit defeat. Marietta tells Napoleon of her admiration for all his claimed hunting exploits with Radjami; she has decided to end her marriage with Louis-Philippe and to marry her new hero. Radjami dismisses a last plea from his aide to return to India, claiming that he will take Odette as his wife that very day. Odette agrees to the Prince’s terms and pens a confession of eternal love. At the wedding ceremony, just before the ceremonial kiss of love, Odette reveals that, to teach the Prince a lesson on how to treat European women, she has been play-acting the entire time and was never under his hypnotic influence. Radjami reads her note and discovers nothing but a condemnation of his arrogance. As she sweeps out of the palace, Radjami assures her that she will someday be his.
Act III: Some months later, the now-married Marietta and Napoleon are having problems. He has gained weight and she has learned that he had been fabricating the stories of all his exploits in India. Louis-Phillipe enters, trim and slim, and with a girl on each arm. Marietta decides that she wants to go back to him—Napoleon agrees. Châtelet claque leader Pimprinette convinces Radjami to write a letter to Odette, informing her that he is on his way home to marry an Indian girl. Pimprinette delivers the note. Odette, believing that he is gone forever, pines for what could have been—she had truly been in love the whole time. The door bursts open; Radjami enters; and they fly to each other’s arms. Thus … the final curtain of La Bayadere.