Giselle - A Chronicle Of Forgiveness, Love And Tragedy






by Haywood Hunter


Giselle is to ballet what Hamlet is to the theatre. Historically important in its own right, audiences flock to it so they may see it interpreted afresh by a new corps of ballerinas. Enthusiasts swear that every time they go, they always see something that they had missed on previous occasions.

A unique take on the theme of the love triangle, Giselle is the story of a young peasant country girl who perishes of a broken heart upon learning that the wealthy Albrecht, with whom she has fallen in love, was bethrothed to another woman. Hilarion, a commoner who is in love with the peasant girl, is seen mourning at her grave when he is surprised by the Wili, the ghosts of young women who had not lived to see their wedding days. They fill their nights for eternity by torturing men to death.

The customary method of torture used by the Wilis, as the spirits were known, was to attract young men and force them to dance until they died. In the case of the gamekeeper, they chase him and then hurl him to his death in a lake. When they turn their attention to the cheating nobleman, the spirit of the peasant girl protects him from their evil magic until day breaks, when they return to their graves. Her two-timing lover is forgiven and Giselle returns to her grave to rest in peace.

The ballet was first shown in Paris in June 1841. It came to London in 1842 and travelled to Russia, Italy and the USA. It has been released as a film in 3D.

The role demands technical precision, dramatic acting skill as well as outstanding grace. For this reason, it is one of the most coveted roles in ballet. It was created for Carlotta Grisi by dramatist Theophile Gautier. It has been played by many other accomplished ballerinas including Anna Pavlova, Alicia Markova and Svetlana Zakharova.

Gautier was inspired by the story of the Wilis, which was written by poet and novelist Heinrich Heine. Gautier pictured it in his mind as a ballet. He worked with the composer, Adolphe Adam and choreographer, Jules Perot.




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