Our “Giselle” is an adapted version of the classical ballet, Giselle. Since its premiere at the Paris Opera on June 28, 1841, Giselle has remained one of the oldest and most beloved ballets in the classical repertoire. Like most ballets from this period, the story is beautiful, ethereal and also a story of tragedy. Our adaptation for stage makes some slight variations in order to modify the duration and to highlight some of the desired aspects from the original story. (Here is a link to a full length version you may enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzvnP250eKQ and here as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmyFlqIOhQ0
Giselle
In a small village, the hunter Hilarion admires the cottage of his beloved, Giselle. A nobleman, named, Count Albrecht, shortly arrives and enters a cottage near Giselle’s home. Albrecht emerges disguised as a peasant. Hilarion spies on Albrecht and is confused as to why a nobleman would dress like a peasant.
Hilarion does not know that Albrecht has come to the village in disguise so that he may be alone to visit Giselle, whom he also loves. Hilarion joins the others on a hunt, meanwhile Albrecht meets with Giselle and promises to be loyal to her. She tests his love by plucking a daisy: “He-loves-me, he-loves-me-not.” When it looks like the answer will be “not,” she throws the flower away in despair, but Albrecht picks it up and removes a petal so she will believe in his devotion.
The villagers return from grape picking, and Giselle invites them to join her in a dance to celebrate the harvest. Having a weak heart, Giselle’s mother, Berthe, knows how fragile she is and worries that Giselle will not live to see the day of her own wedding. She urges her not to dance too much, then joyfully announces the decision for Giselle to marry. Giselle thinks she is to marry Albrecht, still disguised as a peasant. She does not know that Hilarion is the one her mother plans for Giselle to marry.
As the Prince of Courlan’s hunting party approaches, Albrecht runs away so his cover won’t be blown. Hilarion returns to the village and searches Albrecht’s cottage. Meanwhile, the villagers return and crown Giselle the queen of the grape festival. The prince’s daughter, Bathilde, offers Giselle a lovely necklace when she learns that they’re both engaged to be married.
Hilarion emerges from the cottage with a hunting horn and sword—proof that Albrecht is a nobleman and has been in disguise as a peasant! He interrupts the party to expose Albrecht as a fraud. Hilarion sounds the horn and Albrecht returns, denying the charges and threatens Hilarion with his sword. The full truth comes out: Bathilde reveals that Albrecht is to be married to her! Albrecht’s infidelity shocks fragile Giselle. Giselle vows to be bitter for the rest of her life and never to love again. Her mother begs her not to live in rage, but in Giselle’s deep anguish and anger, her weak heart causes her to collapse from grief and exhaustion.
Act II
After Giselle’s collapse, she is unable to awake and is given a vision. Giselle sees her own grave and mistakenly believes she is surrounded by angelic beings. Frightened, Giselle is witnessing the Wilis, a group of unforgiving spirits who are summoned by their queen, Myrta, to turn Giselle into one of them. Soon, Albrecht arrives to leave flowers on Giselle’s grave. She witnesses his tears and deep remorse for his actions. Giselle is then struck by her own emotions and confesses that she does not want to live a life of unforgiveness. Albrecht becomes trapped and is commanded by the Wilis to dance until his death. As Giselle chooses not to live a lifetime of bitterness, she protects him and dances in his place until the Wilis lose their power. Albrecht is rescued from death.
Eventually, Giselle awakens in the arms of her mother. She looks deep into Giselle’s eyes and sees that, indeed, Giselle is set free.
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