Giselle is one of the most influential of all Romantic ballets, and one of the greatest and most popular works of the dance canon and of The Royal Ballet ’s repertory.

From 6th April to 26th May in the Main Auditorium

Giselle

A harvest festival is taking place in a small village. Giselle, a peasant girl, has fallen in love with Loys, whom she believes to be a villager. She spurns the attentions of Halarion, the forester, her mother's preferred suitor. Halarion, jealous of Loys, discovers that he is really the Count Alberecht in disguise and already engaged to Bathilde the daughter of a Duke.

A hunting party arrives at the village with Albrecht’s fiancée among them. Halarion publicly exposes the Count. Giselle sees her ‘Loys’ kiss Bathilde. She realises that Loys is the Count Albrecht and not free to marry her, her heart breaks, she goes mad and kills herself.

Giselle is buried in unconsecrated ground in the forest. At night the forest is haunted by the Wilis, vengeful female spirits who have died before their wedding day. The Wilis dance to death any man they encounter. At nightfall the Wilis rise and Giselle becomes one of them.  Halarion comes to the forest to sit vigil by Giselle’s grave. He is pursued by the Wilis and forced into an endless dance. Exhausted he is driven into the lake. The repentant Count Alberecht comes to Giselle’s grave side, the malicious ghosts appear, but Giselle’s love transcends death to protect him.