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. Running time: 2hrs 10mins with one interval

Cast/Performers

Tamara Rojo (Giselle - some dates), Roberta Marquez (Giselle - some dates), Marianela Nunez (Giselle - some dates), Leanne Benjamin (Giselle - some dates), Mara Galeazzi (Giselle - some dates), Alina Cojocaru (Giselle - some dates), Carlos Acosta (Albrecht - some dates), Segei Polunin (Albrecht - some dates), Rupert Pennefather (Albrecht - some dates), Edward Watson (Albrecht - some dates), Thiago Soares (Albrecht - some dates), Johan Kobborg (Albrecht - some dates)

Creatives/Company

Music(s): Adolphe Adam, Joseph Horovitz (revision)
Company: Royal Ballet
Choreographer(s): Marius Petipa (after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot), Peter Wright (production and additional choreography)
Design: John Macfarlane
Lighting(s): Jennifer Tipton (original lighting), Clare O'Donoghue (lighting re-creation)
Conductor(s): Koen Kessels, Barry Wordsworth