As the story of Hamlet is to the theater, Giselle is to ballet. Historically significant, audiences see it time after time to experience its interpretation by new generations of ballerinas. Each time, they vow that they have seen something different that they had not picked up on before at a previous viewing.
A unique take on the theme of the love triangle, Giselle is the story of a young peasant country girl who perishes of a broken heart upon learning that the wealthy Albrecht, with whom she has fallen in love, was bethrothed to another woman. Hilarion, a commoner who is in love with the peasant girl, is seen mourning at her grave when he is surprised by the Wili, the ghosts of young women who had not lived to see their wedding days. They fill their nights for eternity by torturing men to death.
The customary method of torture used by the Wilis, as the spirits were known, was to attract young men and force them to dance until they died. In the case of the gamekeeper, they chase him and then hurl him to his death in a lake. When they turn their attention to the cheating nobleman, the spirit of the peasant girl protects him from their evil magic until day breaks, when they return to their graves. Her two-timing lover is forgiven and Giselle returns to her grave to rest in peace.
The ballet was first shown in Paris in June 1841. It came to London in 1842 and travelled to Russia, Italy and the USA. It has been released as a film in 3D.
The leading role in this ballet is one of the most sought after by promising young dancers. It requires tremendous grace, a high level of technical skill and the ability to act convincingly. It was written by dramatist Theophile Gautier. It first starred Carlotta Grisi, for whom it was created by Gautier. Since then, the peasant girl has been portrayed by Alicia Markova, Svetlana Zakharova and Anna Pavlova.
Gautier was inspired by the story of the Wilis, which was written by poet and novelist Heinrich Heine. Gautier pictured it in his mind as a ballet. He worked with the composer, Adolphe Adam and choreographer, Jules Perot.
A unique take on the theme of the love triangle, Giselle is the story of a young peasant country girl who perishes of a broken heart upon learning that the wealthy Albrecht, with whom she has fallen in love, was bethrothed to another woman. Hilarion, a commoner who is in love with the peasant girl, is seen mourning at her grave when he is surprised by the Wili, the ghosts of young women who had not lived to see their wedding days. They fill their nights for eternity by torturing men to death.
The customary method of torture used by the Wilis, as the spirits were known, was to attract young men and force them to dance until they died. In the case of the gamekeeper, they chase him and then hurl him to his death in a lake. When they turn their attention to the cheating nobleman, the spirit of the peasant girl protects him from their evil magic until day breaks, when they return to their graves. Her two-timing lover is forgiven and Giselle returns to her grave to rest in peace.
The ballet was first shown in Paris in June 1841. It came to London in 1842 and travelled to Russia, Italy and the USA. It has been released as a film in 3D.
The leading role in this ballet is one of the most sought after by promising young dancers. It requires tremendous grace, a high level of technical skill and the ability to act convincingly. It was written by dramatist Theophile Gautier. It first starred Carlotta Grisi, for whom it was created by Gautier. Since then, the peasant girl has been portrayed by Alicia Markova, Svetlana Zakharova and Anna Pavlova.
Gautier was inspired by the story of the Wilis, which was written by poet and novelist Heinrich Heine. Gautier pictured it in his mind as a ballet. He worked with the composer, Adolphe Adam and choreographer, Jules Perot.
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