Romantic, mystical and lyrical, Giselle the timeless production of one of the ballet’s great stories. The Royal New Zealand Ballet will start the Giselle season in less than a month across the country.
The international acclaimed production will be accompanied by live Orchestras in the four main centres: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and with a specially recorded version in other centres Hamilton, Napier, Rotorua, Palmerston North.
Giselle was first performed in France at the Paris Opera in 1841 where it proved to be an instant success.
It was a perfect fusion of every element that makes ballet so special; human characters, a romantic story, elegant costumes, beautiful choreography and exquisite pointe work.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet's own production of Giselle has toured overseas to critical acclaim. The former RNZB Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel’s first toured Giselle in New Zealand in 2012 to a sell-out audience. Subsequently performed in China, the USA, the UK and Italy, and turned into a feature film by director Toa Fraser, Giselle has captivated international audiences and critics alike.
In a remote village, the beautiful and innocent Giselle is courted and captivated by a mysterious stranger. When he is revealed as Count Albrecht, betrothed to another, Giselle, broken-hearted, descends into madness and death. In the forest, the Wilis, vengeful ghosts of jilted brides, meet to greet their recently arrived sister: Giselle, who rises from her grave to join their ranks. Albrecht arrives at the mourn, and the Wilis exact their revenge, compelling him to dance until he dies from exhaustion. Giselle shields him from their fury until the first light of day brings the promise of forgiveness and redemption.
Giselle is compared to the Hamlet of ballet and the main role is one of the most challenging roles to perform due to the great conflict in character which must be revealed by the ballerina, from the earthly sweet movements of the first act through the intense climax of madness to the spiritual, airborne, weightless movements of the second act.
In August and September, New Zealand audiences will have the opportunity to see this masterpiece once again. A Performance not to be missed.
Giselle
Aukland - 31 August to 3 Septmenber - ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
Chritchurch - 23 and 24 August - Isaac Theatre Royal
Dunedin - 28 August - Regent Theatre
Hamilton - 6 September - Founders Theatre
Napier - 19 August - Napier Municipal Theatre
Rotorua - 5 September - Rotorua Civic Theatre
Palmerston North - 9 September - Regent on Broadway
Wellington - 11 to 14 August - St James Theatre
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