The Talisman (ballet)

The Talisman is a ballet in four acts and seven scenes, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to music by Riccardo Drigo. It premiered on 7 February [O.S. 26 January] 1889 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Talisman is a fantasy ballet set in India and the Himalayas. The story revolves around Niriti, a daughter of the Queen of the Gods, who is sent to Earth by her mother to test the fidelity of a mortal man, Vayu, and ultimately, to reward him for his virtue. She is granted a talisman of immortality, and warned that she will lose her immortality if she falls in love with a mortal.

The ballet became known for its exotic setting, elaborate costumes, and demanding choreography. The Grand Pas des Esclaves and Pas de Deux from the ballet are often performed as standalone excerpts in galas and competitions.

Although the original choreography is largely lost, various revivals and reconstructions have been staged throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, often based on Stepanov notations and subsequent interpretations. These revivals aim to preserve and present the unique qualities of Petipa's original vision, including its spectacle and challenging technical demands.