The mariinsky ballet dance petipas great classical ballet of love betrayal and ultimate redemption r r set in mythical india petipas lavish melodrama of love betrayal and ultimate redemption tells the tale of the temple dancer nikiyas doomed love for the warrior solor scenes of exotic spectacle culminate in the choreographic glory of the kingdom of the shades one of the greatest treasures in the companys repertory the mariinskys matchless soloists and exquisite corps de ballet comb