Ballet
Giselle
Giselle is the great heartbreak ballet of the Romantic era. It has a trusting village girl, a secret betrayal, and a moonlit forest full of ghostly brides. Dancers often call the lead role one of the most rewarding and demanding in the whole repertoire.
Fast facts
- Composer
- Adolphe Adam
- Choreographer
- Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot
- Premiere
- 1841, Paris Opera, Paris
- Structure
- Two acts
- Running time
- About 2 hours with an interval
The story
Giselle is a peasant girl with a weak heart who falls in love with a stranger, not knowing he is a nobleman named Albrecht who is already engaged to someone else. When his deception is revealed, Giselle loses her mind with grief and dies. In the second act she joins the Wilis, the spirits of young women who were betrayed before their weddings. When Albrecht comes to mourn at her grave, the Wilis try to dance him to death, but Giselle's forgiving love protects him until dawn.
What Giselle is famous for
- the mad scene
- the ghostly Wilis in white
- the demanding dual acting and dancing role
- its Romantic era style
Companies that perform Giselle
Giselle is in the repertoire of companies including American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, The Australian Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Wilis?
The Wilis are the ghosts of young women who died before their wedding day. They gather at night and force any man they catch to dance until he drops.
What is the mad scene?
It is the moment at the end of the first act when Giselle discovers Albrecht's betrayal and loses her sanity. It calls for powerful acting as well as dancing.
Why is Giselle considered so difficult?
The lead must be a joyful village girl in the first act and a weightless spirit in the second, blending strong acting with delicate technique in one evening.
Who composed Giselle?
Giselle was composed by Adolphe Adam.
How long is Giselle?
Giselle runs about 2 hours with an interval.