Giselle
Our last performance of Giselle was in the Spring of 2025 at the Martha Cohen Theatre. Learn more about this ballet below!
Act I
On an Autumn day in a small town, Count Albrecht disguises himself as a humble villager to court the beautiful peasant girl Giselle. Hilarion, a local gamekeeper who also loves Giselle, is suspicious of her new beau. Her mother also discourages her relationship with Albrecht, fearing for Giselle's weak heart.
Later that afternoon, a hunting party of noblemen stops by the village seeking refreshment. Travelling with them is Bathilde, Albrecht's betrothed, so Albrecht hides himself before he can be recognized. Bathilde is charmed by Giselle and gifts her a necklace. After they depart the villagers continue the harvest festivities, but Hilarion discovers Albrecht's hidden cloak and sword, uncovering his true identity.
He summons the hunting party back by sounding Albrecht's hunting horn, and reveals his deception in front of the entire village. At the shocking revelation, Giselle's heart breaks and she flies into a fit of madness and grief, finally collapsing and dying in Albrecht's arms as her weak heart gives out.
Photos provided by Larry Doucet
Act II
Late at night, Hilarion mourns at Giselle's forest grave, but is frightened away by the arrival of the Wilis, the ghostly spirits of maidens betrayed by their lovers. Led by Myrtha, their queen, the torment any men they encounter, exacting their revenge by forcing them to dance until they day.
They rouse Giselle from her grave, bringing her into their sisterhood, but when Albrecht arrives to lay flowers she gently forgives him. Hilarion is captured and dispatched by the Wilis but when they come upon Albrecht Giselle intervenes on his behalf, dancing for him until the sun comes up and sends the Wilis back to their graves.
Photos provided by Larry Doucet