Department of Cultural Affairs

This story recounts Giselle’s timeless tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. With 28 years of refinement, Rondo Ballet Theatre presents the classic full-length ballet “Giselle”, an iconic romantic ballet, showcasing the pinnacle of the ballet blanc aesthetic.

“Giselle”, a representative 19th-century, romantic ballet, premiered at the Opéra Garnier in Paris in 1841. The first act tells the story of a young woman named Giselle and a nobleman named Albrecht who fall in love. However, Giselle discovers that Albrecht is already engaged, which causes her immense emotional pain, and ultimately, she succumbs to her overwhelming sorrow and dies.

The second act portrays the “Wilis”, ghosts of unmarried women who died after being betrayed by their lovers, led by their ghostly queen, Myrtha. The Wilis dance at night and roam through the forest taking revenge against anyone they encounter, compelling their victims to dance until they die from exhaustion. Following her demise, Giselle also becomes a ghostly Wili, but she forgives Albrecht and saves his life.