Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre 1 April 2022 - Giselle | GoComGo.com

Giselle

Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Main Stage, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Friday 1 April 2022
6:30 PM

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Important Info
Type: Ballet
City: Vilnius, Lithuania
Starts at: 18:30
Acts: 2
Duration: 2h 15min

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Overview

The romantic masterpiece Giselle is one of the most popular ballets in the world. Perfect example or romantic ballet, it has always been very much appreciated by Lithuanian audiences. This time Giselle shall be reborn on the stage of LNOBT thanks to famous Spanish choreographer Lola de Avila. This exceptionally talented choreographer has previously collaborated with the ballet companies of the San Francisco Ballet Grand Théâtre de Genève, Opéra national de Paris and other prominent companies in the entire world. For her achievements L. de Avila was bestowed Golden Medal by the King of Spain. Her Giselle will be based on choreographies of Petipa, Coralli and Perrot. 

The prolific opera and ballet composer Adolphe Adam composed the music. Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot created the original choreography. The role of Giselle was intended for Carlotta Grisi as her debut piece for the Paris public, and she was the only ballerina to dance it at the Paris Opera for many years. The traditional choreography that has been passed down to the present day derives primarily from the revivals staged by Marius Petipa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg. One of the world's most-often performed classical ballets, it is also one of its most challenging to dance.

History
Premiere of this production: 28 June 1841, Salle Le Peletier, Paris, France

Giselle is a romantic ballet in two acts. It was first performed by the Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique at the Salle Le Peletier in Paris, France on 28 June 1841, with Italian ballerina Carlotta Grisi as Giselle. The ballet was an unqualified triumph. Giselle became hugely popular and was staged at once across Europe, Russia, and the United States. The traditional choreography that has been passed down to the present day derives primarily from the revivals staged by Marius Petipa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg.

 

Synopsis

Act I

The ballet opens on a sunny autumnal morning in the Rhineland during the Middle Ages. The grape harvest is in progress. Duke Albrecht of Silesia, a young nobleman, has fallen in love with a shy, beautiful peasant girl, Giselle, despite being betrothed to Bathilde, the daughter of the Duke of Courland. Albrecht disguises himself as a humble villager called "Loys" in order to court the enchanting and innocent Giselle, who knows nothing of his true identity. With the help of his squire, Albrecht hides his fine attire, hunting horn, and sword before coaxing Giselle out of her house to romance her as the harvest festivities begin.

Hilarion, a local gamekeeper, is also in love with Giselle and is highly suspicious of the newcomer who has won Giselle's affections. He tries to convince the naive Giselle that her beau cannot be trusted, but she ignores his warnings. Giselle's mother, Berthe, is very protective of her daughter, as Giselle has a weak heart that leaves her in delicate health. She discourages a relationship between Giselle and Loys, thinking Hilarion would be a better match, and disapproves of Giselle's fondness for dancing, due to the strain on her heart.

A party of noblemen seeking refreshment following the rigors of the hunt arrive in the village, Albrecht's betrothed, Bathilde, among them. Albrecht hurries away, knowing he would be recognized and greeted by Bathilde, exposing him as a nobleman. The villagers welcome the party, offer them drinks, and perform several dances. Bathilde is charmed with Giselle's sweet and demure nature, not knowing of her relationship with Albrecht. Giselle is honored when the beautiful and regal stranger offers her a necklace as a gift before the group of nobles depart.

The villagers continue the harvest festivities, and Albrecht emerges again to dance with Giselle, who is named the Harvest Queen. Hilarion interrupts the festivities. He has discovered Albrecht's finely made sword and presents it as proof that the lovesick peasant boy is really a nobleman who is promised to another woman. Using Albrecht's hunting horn, Hilarion calls back the party of noblemen. Albrecht has no time to hide and has no choice but to greet Bathilde as his betrothed. All are shocked by the revelation, but none more than Giselle, who becomes inconsolable when faced with her lover's deception. Knowing that they can never be together, Giselle flies into a mad fit of grief in which all the tender moments she shared with "Loys" flash before her eyes. She begins to dance wildly and erratically, ultimately causing her weak heart to give out. She collapses before dying in Albrecht's arms. Hilarion and Albrecht turn on each other in rage before Albrecht flees the scene in misery. The curtain closes as Berthe weeps over her daughter's body.

In the original version, taken up again recently by a production of the ROB, Giselle stabs herself with Albrecht's sword, which explains why her body is laid to rest in the forest, in unhallowed ground, where the Wilis have the power to summon her. Most modern versions are sanitized and have edited out the suicide.

Act II

Late at night, Hilarion mourns at Giselle's forest grave, but is frightened away by the arrival of the Wilis, the ghostly spirits of maidens betrayed by their lovers. Many Wili were abandoned on their wedding days, and all died of broken hearts. The Wilis, led by their merciless queen Myrtha, dance and haunt the forest at night to exact their revenge on any man they encounter, regardless of who he may be, forcing their victims to dance until they die of exhaustion.

Myrtha and the Wilis rouse Giselle's spirit from her grave and induct her into their clan before disappearing into the forest. Albrecht arrives to lay flowers on Giselle's grave and he weeps with guilt over her death. Giselle's spirit appears and Albrecht begs her forgiveness. Giselle, her love undiminished unlike her vengeful sisters, gently forgives him. She disappears to join the rest of the Wilis and Albrecht desperately follows her.

Meanwhile, the Wilis have cornered a terrified Hilarion. They use their magic to force him to dance until he is nearly dead, and then drown him in a nearby lake. Then they spy Albrecht, and turn on him, sentencing him to death as well. He pleads to Myrtha for his life, but she coldly refuses. Giselle's pleas are also dismissed and Albrecht is forced to dance until sunrise. However, the power of Giselle's love counters the Wilis' magic and spares his life. The other spirits return to their graves at daybreak, but Giselle has broken through the chains of hatred and vengeance that control the Wilis, and is thus released from their powers and will haunt the forest no longer. After bidding a tender farewell to Albrecht, Giselle returns to her grave to rest in peace.

Venue Info

Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre - Vilnius
Location   A. Vienuolio st. 1

Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (LNOBT) is an opera house and ballet theatre in Vilnius. It is the largest theatre of the country, committed to organising the creation and production of scenic works for musical theatre and assuring their public performance on the highest artistic level.

LNOBT aims to nurture, initiate and cultivate traditions of national musical theatre, develop traditions of contemporary musical theatre and present them to the wide community, seek the artistic embodiment of values treasured in the world's musical culture. Also, to capacitate young talented and recognised artists and performers, both from Lithuania and abroad, to participate in the theatre's activities. The theatre shapes the image of country's artistic culture by presenting the accomplishments of national musical culture abroad, as well as cultivating, instigating and satisfying the need for professional scenic art in the wide society.

Lithuanian national opera and ballet theatre is currently led by general manager Jonas Sakalauskas, artistic director of opera Sesto Quatrini and artistic director of ballet Martynas Rimeikis. The chief conductor of LNOBT’s symphony orchestra is Ričardas Šumila.

Recent decades brought a particular boost in the Company’s activity and new developments in the repertoire. At the present, the LNOBT is a modern, forward-thinking institution that strives to present its audiences with best versions of both opera and ballet productions. The repertoire of the theatre consists of classical and modern pieces produced by some of today’s best directors. Latest highlights include “Madama Butterfly” (dir. Anthony Minghella), “Turandot” (dir. Robert Wilson), “The Bluebeard’s Castle” (dir. Csaba Káel), “Ernani” (dir. Jean-Claude Berutti), “Idomeneo” (dir. Graham Vick), “Don Carlo” (dir. Gunter Kramer), “La boheme” (dir. Cristina Muti), “Piaf” (chor. Mauro Bigonzetti), “Le Corsaire” (chor. Manuel Legris), “Der Prozess” (chor. Martynas Rimeikis), etc. The LNOBT collaborates in co-productions with some of the world’s leading theatres, such as the Metropolitan Opera New York, San Francisco a, Teatro Real in Madrid, Houston Grand Opera, English National Opera, Israeli Opera and other prominent institutions.

The LNOBT has also set up a tradition of Summer Season performances in the courtyard of Trakai Castle. Ever since the Company first welcomed its audiences in Trakai in 2001, these open-air events proved immensely popular with local viewers and visitors alike.

The Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theatre often provides a venue for official state events, various festivals and festivities, celebrations and concerts. It is the biggest theatre and one of the most important cultural centres in Lithuania.

Important Info
Type: Ballet
City: Vilnius, Lithuania
Starts at: 18:30
Acts: 2
Duration: 2h 15min
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