5 Reasons Why Giselle is the Ultimate Romantic Ballet
Giselle premiered in Paris in 1841, and was an immediate hit. Today, leading ballet companies across the world perform the ballet for adoring fans. Keep reading to learn five reasons why Giselle is such a hit!
1. The Compelling Story
Giselle features love, deception, and the supernatural. In this bewitching ballet, Giselle’s heart is broken by the mysterious Albert. Consumed by grief, she joins the ranks of the Wilis, a powerful group of ghosts who have all been betrayed by their lovers. With the extensive use of pantomime and expressive movement, the compelling story takes center stage in this ballet. Audiences today are just as enthralled as they were in 1841!
Lucien Postlewaite and Elizabeth Murpy in Giselle, photo © Angela Sterling.
2. Adolphe Adam’s Expressive Score
Composer Adolphe Adam’s expressive score gives greater depth to the story and characters. Leitmotifs (short musical phrases associated with a character or event) are used extensively in the ballet, creating memorable musical moments that serve the narrative. Played masterfully by the PNB Orchestra, the score perfectly complements the magical world created onstage.
PNB Orchestra, photo © Lindsay Thomas.
3. The Complex (and Demanding) Role of Giselle
Giselle was originally created for the famous ballerina Carlotta Grisi, and the heroine’s role is known as one of the most difficult. Giselle is a lovable heroine, strong-willed but kind. Her heartbreak, death, and ghostly return make for a stunning character transformation. In addition to strong acting chops, dancers perform several iconic (and technically challenging) variations, from the “Mad Scene” to the ethereal strength and grace required in the Act II variations.
4. The Unique Structure
Giselle consists of just two acts, but each one is set in a different world. The first Act is set in Giselle’s home village and is colorful, joyous, and lively. The second Act takes place in a moonlit forest and is mysterious and ghostly. The contrast between the two acts, accentuated by the stunning sets and costumes designed by Jérôme Kaplan, keeps the audience fascinated throughout the ballet.
1. Lucien Postlewaite, Elizabeth Murpy, and PNB Company dancers in Giselle, photo © Angela Sterling. 2. Angelica Generosa in Giselle, photo © Lindsay Thomas.
5. The Ethereal (Girl) Power of The Wilis
Familiar with the phrase, “it gives me the willies?” The Wilis of Giselle, an iconic group of ghostly women betrayed by two-timers, are the origins of that phrase. They are playful, powerful, and easy to root for. In one of the most famous scenes in ballet history “Dance of the Willis,” the corps de ballet demonstrates their strength and coordination with drill-team-like formations. Led by the fierce Myrtha, the Wilis demonstrate the solidarity of sisterhood, a theme audiences resonate with to this day.
