Synopsis

Prologue — In the clouds

The gods and spirits descend to meet the Goddess Amravati, Queen of the heavens. She is in despair, and is asked why. She replies “It is today, in accordance with my immortal husband’s wishes, that my daughter, the goddess Ella, must descend to earth, and perhaps may never return.”

Music heralds the entrance of Ella. She runs to embrace her mother, and is then informed that the time has come for her to visit the earth. “But why must I visit the earth?” Ella asks. “To test your heart against the temptations of earthly love,” replies Amravati, “and should you fail, you will forfeit your right to immortality.” “Must I go alone?” asks Ella. “No,” replies the goddess; “I have chosen a fine companion for you.”

Uragan, the god of the wind, flies overhead, bringing a storm in his wake. He bows to the Queen and begs pardon for his tardiness; “A group of mortals dared to attempt to learn the secrets of the poles,” he says, “for which I was forced to sink their ships.”

Queen Amravati hands Uragan her golden mace, which makes him ruler of the spirits and of all the elements. She then takes a star from her crown and gives it to Ella. “This talisman shall protect you against all danger which may befall you.” The Goddess adds, “However, should she lose it, you shall never return to the heavens again.” “But,” enquires Ella, “surely the mace shall force the talisman to be returned to me.” “No,” replies Amravati, “a talisman lost by a maiden of the air must be freely returned to her by whatever mortal may come to possess it.”

Amravati bids her daughter farewell. Ella and Uragan descend to the earth.

 

Act I — The hut of the old weaver Kadoor

Nal is working busily at his loom so that he may meet Nirilya, his betrothed. He is then distracted by a sun-beam which dazzles his eyes so that he decides to cover the window with his cloak. As he goes toward it his beloved Nirilya appears. He begs her to enter, but she refuses. Nal, annoyed, returns to his work. Nirilya creeps behind him and covers his eyes with her hands.

Enter Kadoor, accompanied by his friends and relatives. The lovers are embarrassed. The weaver tells them that they have nothing to be ashamed of, for they are to be married on the following day. He reminds them of their friends who have come to wish them happiness. The young people begin dancing while the old weaver and some of his guests decorate the hut with flowers and garlands.

Towards the conclusion of their dances a handsome youth appears – Noureddin, the young Maharajah of Lahore. He has lost his way while hunting and asks for shelter for the night. Kadoor welcomes the visitor and places refreshments before him. Noureddin begs the young people to continue their dancing, so Nirilya and Nal perform a joyous dance to the delight of the young Maharajah, who gives Nirilya a necklace and Nal a purse of gold. Then, feeling tired, Noureddin asks to be shown to his room. The guests leave and darkness falls. There is distant thunder and lightning.

Enter Ella and Uragan. Ella enquires where they are. Uragan asks her to remain while he goes to explore. Feeling tired from their travels, Ella lies down and falls asleep.

Noureddin comes out of his room, rubbing his eyes, having been disturbed by a strange noise. He catches sight of the sleeping Ella, and is amazed by her beauty. Ella awakens. Frightened by the stranger she attempts to flee, but Noureddin holds her firm and demands a kiss. Struggling violently, she calls to Uragan for help. Suddenly Uragan appears and seizes Ella while brandishing the golden mace. There is a violent gust of wind and Ella and Uragan disappear. During the escape, the talisman falls from Ella’s head. Noureddin searches vainly for Ella and discovers the talisman. Convinced that he has met his true love, he swears to find the beautiful girl.

Enter King Akdar and his daughter, the Princess Damayanti, attended by a magnificent retinue. The King expresses his delight at seeing Noureddin, as his daughter, to whom Noureddin is betrothed, had been troubled by his disappearance. The company now departs, and the King requests that Noureddin follow them.

Ella and Uragan reappear, followed by spirits of the earth. They search anxiously for the talisman, but in vain.

 

Act II — The gardens of King Akdar’s magnificent palace in Dehli

Servants are completing the preparations for the feast which will prelude the wedding of the Princess Damayanti and Noureddin. Enter King Akdar and his daughter, who seat themselves upon the throne. They are attended by rajahs, bayadères, eunuchs and the Princess’s attendants. Noureddin enters, followed by his bodyguard Djemil and several of his guards.

The festival begins with various diversions, with Noureddin and the Princess Damayanti performing a dance together in which the young Maharajah is haunted by visions of Ella. At the end the chief eunuch announces that the feast is ready in the great hall of the palace. Noureddin lingers behind. He cannot forget the beautiful girl he encountered in Kadoor’s hut.

Moonlight filters into the garden. As Noureddin begins to leave to attend the feast a rose-bush springs from the ground and bars his way. Other bushes appear and from each emerges a rose in human form. From the center rose-bush comes Ella in the guise of the Goddess of the Flowers, and from each side appear the spirits of the earth. With bewitching glances they ask him to give up the talisman, but when Noureddin refuses they vanish. Ella and her retinue of flowers perform dances to entice Noureddin into giving up the talisman, but to no avail. Ella and her retinue disappear.

Fanfares announcing King Akdar are heard. “Come!” cries the King, “the priests are waiting to perform the wedding ceremony.”. Noureddin, unable to forget Ella, confesses that he loves another and must refuse the Princess Damayanti’s hand. The Princess then faints into the arms of her attendants and the enraged King draws his sword; his guards follows suit. At that moment Noureddin’s guards place themselves in a posture defense to protect him. A terrible struggle is imminent when flames rise from the earth and separate the antagonists. Uragan has devised this to save Noureddin so that he may return Ella her talisman.

Ella appears in the fountain and, unseen, wafts him a passionate kiss. Her heart has been melted by his indomitable love.

 

Act III

Scene 1 — A bazaar on the banks of the river Ganges

It is market-day and the bazaar is crowded with types of the numerous races of India. Noureddin enters with his troops on his way back to Lahore. He calls a halt and lies down to rest. The talisman can be seen glittering from his breast. At a sign from one of the slave-dealers dancing begins (Danse des montagnards de l’Himalaya, Pas Katchack).

Enter Uragan and Ella, who are disguised as a Brahmin and his slave. Uragan presents Ella to the crowd wrapped in a long veil. Recognising Noureddin, they decide to steal the talisman, but Noureddin recognises Ella, who tries to hide among the crowd. Noureddin pursues her but is stopped by Uragan, who reproaches him for annoying his slave. “Will you sell me your slave?” asks Noureddin. “Yes,” replies the Brahmin, “in exchange for the talisman on your breast.” Noureddin refuses. Uragan and the supposed slave depart.

Noureddin is now suspicious that the talisman should be preferred to the wealth he could have offered and feels that there is some mystery connected to it. He wonders if the slave-owner’s tongue might be loosened with wine and, calling his bodyguard Djemil, whispers his orders.

Ella and Uragan return. Noureddin goes to them and asks the Brahmin to taste a new European drink: perhaps it may help them come to an understanding. Uragan drinks and, finding the drink greatly to his taste, continually asks for his glass to be refilled. Thus, Uragan becomes increasingly communicative and confides that his slave is really the Goddess Amravati’s daughter, and so long as Noureddin possesses the talisman, Ella must remain on earth. To emphasize his word Uragan strikes the table with his golden mace, which snaps in two. He continues to drink until he falls to the ground.

Noureddin orders the bodyguard Djemil to seize Ella, who desperately calls for Uragan to help her. He awakes but, stupefied with wine, is helpless. Ella is led away.

Scene 2 — Some ancient ruins at night

Ella is brought in by the bodyguard Djemil and placed before Noureddin, who orders his men to keep strict watch. Ella then beseeches Noureddin to restore her talisman. He replies that he cannot, for if he does she shall return to heaven, and he loves her too much to allow it. She admits that he speaks the truth, but implores him to help her return to heaven and her mother.

Noureddin refuses because he wishes for her to remain on earth and be his wife and queen, but Ella refuses. Noureddin pleads on his knees, but again she refuses. He then reminds her that she is in his power and has no choice but to cede to his wishes. Ella then plucks a dagger from Noureddin’s belt and threatens to stab herself. He quickly wrests the weapon from her and, furious that she should hold his love for her so lightly, snatches the talisman from his breast and throws it at her feet. There is a deafening clap of thunder.

Scene 3 — At the top of the stage is seen the heavens, at the bottom, the ancient ruins

The Goddess Amravati awaits Ella’s return. Ella, clasping her talisman, is about to ascend when she resolves to bid Noureddin farewell. Seeing his eyes filled with tears she is overcome with sadness herself. She begins to wonder whether celestial delights can equal the earthly happiness which Noureddin offers, and which she is about to sacrifice. She wavers, then drops the talisman and throws herself into Noureddin’s arms.

Apotheosis

The talisman ascends to heaven. Seated on her throne, the Goddess Amravati is surrounded by gods and other heavenly spirits.

 

Résumé of scenes and dances

Prologue

• Valse des esprits
• Entrée d’Ella
• Le vent d’Uragan

Act I

• Danse des amis de Nirilya et Nal
• Danse orientale
• Premières sensations

Act II

• Danse nautch
• Danse de l’hindoustan
• Grand pas d’action
  • Andante
  • Variation I
  • Variation II
  • Coda
• Grand ballabile — La Rose de Bengale
  • Adage
  • Valse des bijoux
  • Pizzicato
  • Grand coda

Act III

• Danse des montagnards de l’Himalaya
• Pas Katchack
• Danse sous le voile
• Scène dansante — L’ivresse d’Uragan
• La danse à l’amour