The Russian State Ballet brings Giselle to Shanghai, one of the most celebrated works in the history of Romantic ballet. First staged in Paris in 1841, this haunting tale of love, betrayal, and redemption is known as the “crown jewel of ballet.” With its mix of light and darkness, innocence and tragedy, it remains a timeless classic on the international stage.

Background

Giselle is based on an old Slavic legend, drawing inspiration from Heinrich Heine’s De l’Allemagne (1787–1856) and Victor Hugo’s poem Les Orientales. The libretto was written by Théophile Gautier, librettist Jean Coralli, and choreographer Jules Perrot, with music composed by Adolphe Adam.
When it premiered at the Paris Opera in 1841, it created a sensation and became the pinnacle of Romantic ballet. Combining light and darkness, love and death, survival and destruction, this immortal work has been hailed as the “crown jewel of ballet.”

Production Synopsis

Act I: By the Rhine
Giselle is a beautiful, kind-hearted village girl who lives with her mother. She loves dancing and shares affection with the gamekeeper Hans. Count Albrecht disguises himself as a villager, meets Giselle, and wins her love. But when his noble identity and existing betrothal are revealed, Giselle is devastated, descends into madness, and dies of grief.

Act II: The Silent Forest
In the moonlit forest, spirits of betrayed maidens known as the Wilis roam in search of vengeance, forcing young men to dance until they collapse and die. Hans falls victim to them. Albrecht, stricken with remorse, comes to Giselle’s grave, where the Wilis also try to claim him. Giselle’s spirit, still in love, protects him from their wrath. At dawn, Albrecht survives but is left heartbroken, forever mourning the loss of her pure and faithful love.