Most recent performance
There are currently no scheduled performances of Giselle. It was last on stage 19 January—9 March 2018 as part of the Winter 2017/18 season.
The Story
The peasant girl Giselle discovers the true identity of her lover Albrecht – and that he is promised to another.
Read more… (Contains spoilers)
Background
Giselle is the classic ballet of the Romantic era. It transformed the dance world when it was first performed in Paris in 1841 and remains at the centre of the classical repertory. Giselle’s essence has remained the same through many different productions in well over a century of continuous performance. Peter Wright’s production for The Royal Ballet is based on Marius Petipa’s classic version (after the original 1841 choreography by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli), which was first staged in St Petersburg in 1884.
The role of Giselle provides the dancer with many technical and dramatic challenges, from the character’s early love to her poignant descent into madness and her final gesture of forgiveness from beyond the grave. The first act of the ballet is filled with historical detail and rustic colour. By contrast, the second, ‘white’ act plunges the audience into an eerie moonlit forest haunted by the ethereal Wilis. With its combination of memorable story and exquisite choreography, Giselle is the perfect way to discover classical ballet.
News and features
-
Cast change: Sarah Lamb to dance in Giselle on 2 March 2018
2 March 2018
-
Watch: Marianela Nuñez celebrates 20 years with The Royal Ballet with a traditional flower throw
7 February 2018
-
Your Reaction: What did you think of Giselle 2018?
20 January 2018
-
5 of our favourite ballet pas de deux
14 October 2016
-
Cast changes: Giselle and The Winter's Tale
11 April 2016
-
Your Reaction: Giselle live in cinemas 2016
6 April 2016