Photo: Jimmy Chan
Dancer (middle): Chantel Elizabeth Roulston
Dancer (right): Faye Leung
Dancers: Jin Yao, Zhang Yao
Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco
Giselle
A heartrending tale of love, betrayal and the supernatural
First performed in Paris in 1841, Giselle has rightfully become the jewel in the crown of classical ballet. Combining an intriguing plot, sympathetic leading characters, stunning choreography, innovative music, supernatural beings, passion, melodrama and a tragic ending, the ballet represents the height of the Romantic movement that swept Europe in the early 19th century.
When Giselle, an innocent peasant girl, discovers that her lover Albrecht, is in fact a Count and is betrothed to another, she is driven mad and led to her tragic death. In Act II, at Giselle's grave, the revengeful Wilis who are the spirits of abandoned engaged girls, rise from the dead and condemn Albrecht to dance until he dies. Giselle tries to sustain him, but at daybreak the spell is broken and Giselle and the Wilis fade away, leaving Albrecht alone and sorrowful.
The role of Giselle demands impeccable technical skill, outstanding grace and lyricism, and great dramatic flair. In Act I, Giselle must embody a country girl's innocence, her excitement at the blossoming of new love, and her crazed heartbreak upon being betrayed, while in Act II she must seem ethereal yet still capable of human forgiveness.
Giselle is probably the best-known work of French composer Adolphe Adam (1803-1856). His sumptuous and innovative score uses recurring musical motifs (themes representing particular characters or emotions) to drive the narrative.
The ballet was originally choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, however the choreography for nearly all modern productions derives from the work of renowned choreographer and balletmaster Marius Petipa. The Hong Kong Ballet Artistic Director John Meehan and Senior Ballet Mistress Lin Mei-fang have based their production on Petipa's traditional version.
Click here to download the Principal Roles Cast List
- Choreography
- After Coralli / Perrot / Petipa
- Staged by
- John Meehan, Lin Mei-fang
- Music
- Adolphe Adam
- Set
- Peter Farmer
- Costumes
- Kim Baker
- Lighting Design
- Wayne Wong
Programme Plus!
An evening on Giselle - the essence of Romanticism, with interactive presentation and a preview of dance
4.11.2008 (Tue) - 7:30-9:00pm
Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Cetre
* Conducted in English
Details
Pre-performance Talk
29 & 30.11.2008 (Sat & Sun) - 7:25pm, around 20 minutes
Level 1 Foyer, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
* Conducted in English with Cantonese translation
* Places are limited, register now!
For registration and enquiries:
(852) 2105 9724 / marketing@hkballet.com
Discounts:
- 50% off -
- Full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities (Limited tickets for students available on a first-come-first-served basis)
- 20% off -
- Each purchase of 20 or more full-price tickets (Maximum 40 tickets for each purchase)
- 15% off -
- Each purchase of 10-19 full-price tickets, Friends of Hong Kong Ballet
- 10% off -
- Each purchase of 4-9 full-price tickets, Friends of Hong Kong Ballet
- 10% off -
- Friends of Chung Ying, Friends of PIP Theatre, Zuni members, CCDC Dance Generation Premium members, HKPO Club Bravo members and Friends of HKCO (First two tickets)
* Discounts not applicable to VIP tickets
* 50% discount not applicable to $600 tickets
* Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discounts
for each purchase
- Audiences are advised to arrive punctually.
- Late-comers will not be admitted until a suitable break or the intermission
- The presenter reserves the right to change programme and artist
