Origins, Music, and History
Giselle premiered at the Paris Opera on June 28, 1841, during the height of the Romantic era in ballet. The ballet was created through a remarkable collaboration between librettists Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Théophile Gautier, who based the story partly on Heinrich Heine's writings about the Wilis - supernatural female spirits who dance men to death. The original choreography was created by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, though Perrot's contributions were initially uncredited due to contractual obligations at another theater.
The score was composed by Adolphe Adam, who wrote the entire music in just three weeks - a remarkable feat considering the ballet's complexity. Adam's composition was groundbreaking for its time, as he created specific themes (leitmotifs) for different characters and emotional states, a technique that would later become standard in ballet composition. The music masterfully transitions between the earthly first act and the supernatural second act, using different orchestral colors and textures to distinguish between the mortal and spirit worlds.
The ballet was created specifically for the Italian ballerina Carlotta Grisi, who played the title role in the premiere. Her performance set the standard for all future interpretations of Giselle, establishing the dramatic and technical requirements that make this role one of the most challenging in the classical repertoire.
The Story
Act I - The Mortal World
The story opens in a medieval Rhineland village during wine harvest season. Giselle is a beautiful peasant girl who lives with her protective mother Berthe. Despite having a weak heart, Giselle's passion for dancing cannot be contained - she dances at every opportunity, though her mother constantly warns her that dancing could lead to her death.
Into her life comes "Loys" (actually Count Albrecht in disguise), who has taken a cottage in the village. He is immediately smitten with Giselle, and she with him. Albrecht's squire, dutifully maintaining his master's deception, helps him change from his nobleman's clothes into peasant garb whenever he visits the village.
The local gamekeeper, Hilarion, has long been in love with Giselle. He's naturally suspicious of the newcomer "Loys" and notices several inconsistencies in his behavior. A crucial dramatic thread through Act I is Hilarion's growing certainty that "Loys" is not who he claims to be.
The act builds through several key scenes:
- A love scene between Giselle and Albrecht, where they perform the famous "he loves me, he loves me not" flower petal scene
- The arrival of a hunting party, which includes Bathilde (Albrecht's noble fiancée) and her father
- The harvest festival, where Giselle is crowned Queen of the Vintage
- A series of celebratory dances, including the famous peasant pas de deux
The act reaches its climax when Hilarion exposes Albrecht's true identity. Unable to cope with this betrayal, Giselle performs one of the most famous mad scenes in ballet, reliving her love affair through increasingly frantic dance until her weak heart finally gives out, and she dies in her mother's arms.
Act II - The Supernatural Realm
The second act opens in a moonlit forest clearing near Giselle's grave. This is the domain of the Wilis - spirits of young women who died before their wedding day. These spirits, embittered by their fate, force any man they encounter to dance until he dies of exhaustion.
The act begins with Hilarion visiting Giselle's grave late at night, followed by the entrance of Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis. When Hilarion is discovered, the Wilis pursue him, forcing him to dance until he is driven into the lake, where he drowns.
Albrecht arrives to lay flowers at Giselle's grave, tortured by remorse. Giselle's spirit appears to him, and their pas de deux is one of the most moving in all of ballet - she still loves him despite his betrayal. But the Wilis discover them, and Myrtha orders Giselle to dance with Albrecht until he dies.
What follows is a battle between love and vengeance. Giselle attempts to sustain Albrecht, helping him dance through the night until dawn. As the first light breaks through the trees, the Wilis' power fades, and they retreat into the forest. In the ballet's final moments, Giselle returns to her grave, having demonstrated that love is stronger than death. Albrecht is left alone, forever changed by his experience.
Choreographic Elements
Throughout the story, the choreography brilliantly supports the narrative:
- In Act I, the dances are grounded, earthy, and full of folk elements
- In Act II, the movement becomes ethereal and otherworldly
- Giselle's character arc is shown through her dancing: from joyful peasant, to mad scene, to ethereal spirit
- The corps de ballet transforms from celebratory villagers to the terrifying uniformity of the Wilis
- Each pas de deux between Giselle and Albrecht reflects their changing relationship, from innocent love to supernatural redemption
Impact on Dance and Culture
Giselle represents the pinnacle of the Romantic ballet era and has profoundly influenced dance history. The ballet established many conventions that would become central to the art form, particularly the contrast between the realistic first act and the supernatural second act - a structure that influenced many later works. The role of Giselle remains a defining challenge for any ballerina, requiring both technical precision and profound dramatic interpretation.
The ballet has been continuously performed since its premiere, with various companies developing their own interpretations while maintaining its essential elements. Notable productions have come from the Mariinsky Ballet, the Royal Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre, each adding subtle nuances to the choreography while preserving its core narrative and emotional impact.
Beyond dance, Giselle has influenced literature, art, and other performing arts through its powerful themes of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption. The ballet's exploration of the supernatural and its connection to human emotions has resonated across cultures and time periods. Its themes of class conflict and the tension between appearance and reality remain relevant to modern audiences.
The ballet also revolutionized theatrical technique, particularly in Act II's ghostly scenes, which required innovative staging and lighting effects. These technical innovations influenced how supernatural elements would be portrayed in theater and dance for generations to come.
In contemporary culture, Giselle continues to inspire new interpretations and adaptations, with choreographers and companies around the world finding fresh ways to present its timeless story while honoring its rich historical legacy. The ballet's endurance speaks to its universal themes and the profound way it captures human experience through the medium of dance.