Giselle

The ‘original’ version of Giselle dates from the heyday of Romanticism, but the ballet is still danced all over the world today. Associate artistic director Rachel Beaujean, who this season is celebrating twenty years as the head of Dutch National Ballet’s artistic staff, says, “Iconic ballets like Giselle and Raymonda are essential works for measuring up as a company on the international scene. Just like the Rembrandts are essential to the identity of the Rijksmuseum, for us these ballets are our heritage. Giselle is our Night Watch, as it were.”

Relevant to all times and cultures

The theme of Giselle, impossible love, is relevant to all times and cultures. The main character, Giselle, believes she has found her true love in Albrecht, but he is not the person she thought he was. Even worse, he is engaged to someone else. Albrecht’s love for Giselle has fatal consequences, but even in death Giselle is still capable of love and forgiveness.

Ethereal beauty

Along with former ballet star Ricardo Bustamante, Beaujean breathed new life into Giselle, so that the ballet still fascinates and moves today’s audiences. Nevertheless, respect for tradition is a priority in their adaptation, and the same applies to the beautiful set and costume designs by Toer van Schayk. Beaujean says, “Giselle has no sell-by date. The choreographic composition remains phenomenal.” Bustamante adds, “The second act has such an ethereal beauty that even people who’ve never seen a ballet before can be totally hypnotised by it.”