BALLET’S MOST BEAUTIFUL GHOST STORY: LOVE CONQUERS ALL IN THE ROYAL BALLET’S GISELLE
Friday 26 February – 15 April
Live Cinema Relay Wednesday 6 April at 7.15pm
The most famous ballet of the Romantic era and a signature work in The Royal Ballet’s repertory, Peter Wright’s hallmark production of Giselle returns to the Royal Opera House.
The role of Giselle is one coveted by dancers the world over and is renowned for being both technically and dramatically challenging. Making their debuts as Giselle are First Soloist Akane Takada and Guest Artist Iana Salenko. Royal Ballet Principals Matthew Golding and Vadim Muntagirov, and First Soloist Ryoichi Hirano make their debuts as Count Albrecht.
Giselle is set in a medieval Rhineland village and tells the story of a gentle peasant girl who is driven to her death when deceived by her aristocratic lover Count Albrecht. Filled with remorse, Albrecht visits her moonlit grave where he is condemned to death by the vengeful Wilis, ghosts of young women who died before their wedding day. However, Giselle’s love transcends death and she saves her lover from his fate.
In this acclaimed production by Peter Wright, who turns 90 this year, the real and supernatural aspects of the ballet are perfectly conceived: the first act dramatized in rich, naturalistic detail and the second with a spectral, moonlit beauty.
Draft Works in the Clore: Reimagining Giselle
Pre-show performances in the Clore Studio Upstairs
1, 9, 15 April at 6.30pm
In this version of Draft Works, The Royal Ballet has invited Canadian choreographer Joshua Beamish to reimagine Giselle in his own choreographic language. Taking place in the Royal Opera House Clore Studio Upstairs prior to three performances of Peter Wright’s full-length production, Reimagining Giselle will be presented without costumes and lighting and is an opportunity to see new work and Royal Ballet dancers in an intimate setting in draft form.
Giselle
26 February at 7.30pm / 27 February at 7.00pm / 17 March at 2.30pm & 7.30pm / 19 March at 12.30pm / 22, 23, 29, 31 March at 7.30pm / 28 March at 2.00pm & 7.00pm / 1, 6*, 9, 15 April at 7.30pm / 2 April at 7.00pm
*Live cinema relay
Generous philanthropic support from the Paul Ferguson Memorial Fund, Peter Lloyd and The Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.
Choreography Marius Petipa after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot
Music Adolphe Adam revised by Joseph Horovitz
Scenario Théophile Gautier after Heinrich Heine
Production and additional choreography Peter Wright
Designer John Macfarlane
Original lighting Jennifer Tipton
Lighting recreated by David Finn
a
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
CASTING
26 Feb / 17 Mar / 29 Mar Natalia Osipova, Matthew Golding*
27 Feb / 19 Mar (mat) Iana Salenko*, Steven McRae
17 Mar (mat) / 23 Mar / 2 Apr Lauren Cuthbertson, Federico Bonelli
22 Mar / 31 Mar / 6† Apr Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov*
28 Mar (mat) / 9 Apr Akane Takada*, Thiago Soares
28 Mar Sarah Lamb, Ryoichi Hirano*
1 Apr / 15 Apr Laura Morera, Nehemiah Kish
*Role debut
†Live cinema relay, Wednesday 6 April
Giselle pre-performance talks
23, 29 March at 6.30pm
Clore Studio Upstairs
A fascinating introduction to the production before curtain up.
£5/£2.50
