To a lush exotic score by Alexander Glazunov, Raymonda tells the tale of a French noblewoman betrothed to a crusader knight, and her attempted abduction by a spurned Saracen rival for her affections.

Raymonda has said farewell to her betrothed knight as he leaves on the crusades. Subsequently a Saracen knight appears at a royal event and makes a terrifying declaration of love to her. Rejected, he attempts to abduct her , but is foiled by the return of her betrothed, who defeats his rival in single combat. The ballet ends with the famous celebratory Hungarian dance in honour of the Hungarian King.