Details

First produced in 1841 at the Paris Opera, Giselle is perhaps the best known and most poignant ballet of the Romantic era. Set in a medieval Rhineland village, it tells of Giselle, a naive peasant girl, who is driven to suicide when deceived by her aristocratic lover, Albrecht. Filled with remorse, Albrecht visits her moonlit grave where he is condemned to death by ghostly spirits - the Wilis. However Giselle's love for Albrecht transcends death and she protects him until sunrise destroys the Wilis power and he is saved. Revival Supported (2004) by The Friends of Covent Garden.

Cast/Performers

Lauren Cuthbertson, Viacheslav Samodurov, Edward Watson, Leanne Benjamin, Ivan Putrov, Mara Galeazzi, Rupert Pennefather, Tamara Rojo, Thiago Soares, Roberta Marquez, Johan Kobborg, Leanne Benjamin, Carlos Acosta, Marianela Nunez

Creatives/Company

Music(s): Adolphe Adam, Adolphe Adam, Joseph Horowitz (revision)
Producer: Royal Ballet
Conductor: Boris Gruzin
Choreographer(s): Marius Petipa (after [Jean Coralli] and [Jules Perrot]), Peter Wright (this production)
Other(s): Theophile Gautier (scenario - after [Heinrich Heine]), Christopher Carr (staging)
Design: John Macfarlane)
Lighting: Jennifer Tipton