The History and Story of the Ballet Giselle

Giselle is one of the most cherished and enduring ballets in the classical repertoire, renowned for its poignant story, beautiful choreography and the emotional depth required from its dancers. Premiering in 1841, Giselle has captivated audiences for nearly two centuries with its haunting tale of love, betrayal and redemption.

Origins and Premiere

Giselle was created during the Romantic era of ballet, a period marked by an emphasis on emotion, supernatural themes and dramatic storytelling. The ballet was the brainchild of the poet and critic Théophile Gautier, who drew inspiration from a German poem about a girl who dies after being jilted by her lover and from Victor Hugo’s “Fantômes.” Gautier, collaborating with librettist Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges, crafted the story for the ballet.

The music for Giselle was composed by Adolphe Adam, a prolific composer of the time, known for his ability to create evocative and memorable scores. Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot were responsible for the original choreography, with Perrot specifically coaching Carlotta Grisi, the first ballerina to perform the role of Giselle.

Giselle premiered on June 28, 1841, at the Paris Opera. Carlotta Grisi’s performance as Giselle was met with immediate acclaim and the ballet quickly became a staple of the Romantic ballet repertoire. The combination of its moving storyline, innovative choreography and beautiful music ensured its lasting success.

Legacy and Significance

Giselle has remained a cornerstone of the ballet world due to its rich emotional narrative and the technical and dramatic demands placed on its performers. The role of Giselle is considered one of the most challenging and coveted in the ballet repertoire, requiring both technical precision and profound emotional expression. Similarly, the role of Albrecht offers male dancers the opportunity to display both their acting and dancing prowess.

Over the years, many legendary dancers have portrayed Giselle, including Anna Pavlova, Alicia Markova, Margot Fonteyn and Natalia Makarova. Each brought their unique interpretation to the role, adding to the ballet’s enduring allure.

The ballet has also undergone numerous revivals and adaptations, with choreographers like Marius Petipa and later, Rudolf Nureyev, leaving their mark on its staging and choreography.

Conclusion

Giselle’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless story, evocative music and expressive choreography. It continues to be a touchstone for ballet companies and dancers worldwide, embodying the essence of Romantic ballet and the power of love and forgiveness transcending even death.

The Story of Giselle

Act I: The Village

The story of Giselle is set in a Rhineland village during the grape harvest. Giselle is a young, innocent peasant girl with a weak heart, who loves to dance despite her mother’s concerns about her health. She falls in love with Albrecht, a nobleman who disguises himself as a villager named Loys to win her affection. Albrecht is actually betrothed to Bathilde, a noblewoman.

Hilarion, a gamekeeper who is also in love with Giselle, becomes suspicious of Loys. He discovers Albrecht’s true identity and exposes him in front of the villagers. Heartbroken by Albrecht’s deception and his engagement to Bathilde, Giselle goes mad and dies from a broken heart.

Act II: The Forest and the Wilis

The second act takes place in a moonlit forest near Giselle’s grave. The Wilis, ghostly spirits of young women who were betrayed by their lovers and died before their wedding day, haunt the forest. Led by their queen, Myrtha, they seek revenge by forcing any man who enters their domain to dance to his death.

Giselle is summoned from her grave to join the Wilis. Albrecht, filled with remorse, visits Giselle’s grave to mourn her. Myrtha commands Giselle to make Albrecht dance until he dies, but Giselle’s love for him remains strong. She protects him from the Wilis, dancing with him until dawn, when the Wilis lose their power.

With the first light of morning, Giselle’s spirit is freed from the Wilis’ curse because of her act of forgiveness and love. Albrecht is left grieving but saved and Giselle returns to her grave, her spirit at peace.

You Might Also Like…