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

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

  

  A cast change for the role of Giselle has been announced.

• Watch: Marianela Nuñez celebrates 20 years with The Royal Ballet with a traditional flower throw

  7 February 2018

  

  Reserved for moments of celebration, the Covent Garden tradition of the flower throw sees fans showering Royal Ballet greats with blooms.

• Your Reaction: What did you think of Giselle 2018?

  20 January 2018

  

  Audience responses to The Royal Ballet's romantic classic.

• 5 of our favourite ballet pas de deux

  14 October 2016

  

  Dramatic and romantic moments in ballets including Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet are classical dance’s beating heart.

• Cast changes: Giselle and The Winter's Tale

  11 April 2016

  

  Akane Takada replaces Laura Morera as Giselle; Itziar Mendizabal and Christina Arestis replace Laura Morera as Paulina.

• Your Reaction: Giselle live in cinemas 2016

  6 April 2016

  

  What did you think of the live cinema relay of this classic Romantic ballet?