The stage life of Giselle wasn't an easy one. After the premiere of 1841 featuring Carlotta Grisi and Lucien Petipa, the ballet was performed in France until 1863, when it disappeared from the repertoire.

Giselle was forgotten in its motherland but became a most frequently shown ballet on the Russian stage. In 1842, the ballet was staged in St.Petersburg. At the beginning of the 20th century during Diaghilev's ground-breaking Russian Seasons, the French saw their national ballet faithfully nurtured in Russia.

The Mikhailovsky Theatre's 2008 production of Giselle by Nikita Dolgushin, a specialist in historical works, amazed public and critics. Dolgushin, a noble Albrecht in his time as a dancer, inspired this production, delicately uniting dance and classic mime.

The choreographer reveals the essence of this romantic era ballet: the story of Giselle is told in the language of ballet classicism. Together with Vyacheslav Okunev, who designed the epitome of romantic settings, Dolgushin created a production that was described by the Sunday Times as 'an exemplary Giselle'.

Please note: there are no surtitles in this production

Ballet in two acts

Dates
15 July - 16 July 2010