Giselle by Australian Ballet

Expires 5pm (AEST) October 26 2021

First love, betrayal, heartache and forgiveness … we’ve all been through them, and that’s what makes Giselle resonate so deeply in our hearts.

This iconic Romantic ballet has stood the test of time, not just because of the otherworldly beauty, with its ethereal ghosts floating through the forest, but because of the universal passion and drama of its storyline.

A young girl falls madly in love with a nobleman in disguise. When she realises his deception, the shock sends her mad and she dies. Raised from her grave by the vengeful Queen of the Wilis, she must forgive her lover and save him from death.

We’ve dipped into our archives to bring you Maina Gielgud’s celebrated production, filmed at the Adelaide Festival Centre in 1990 and starring Christine Walsh and Kelvin Coe.

This production is brought to you free by our Production Partner qualia

Read our 2019 Giselle program for background on the production and the full synopsis.

Giselle Christine Walsh
Count Albrecht Kelvin Coe
Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis Joanne Michel
Berthe, Giselle’s Mother Ai-gul Gaisina
Hilarion, a forester Paul de Masson
Peasant Pas de deux Elizabeth Toohey, David McAllister
The Duke of Courland Roy Wilson
The Princess Bathilde Sandra Morrison
Wilfred, attendant on Albrecht Colin Peasley
Lead Wilis Lisa Bolte and Miranda Coney

Choreography Marius Petipa after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot
Music Adolphe Adam
Production Maina Gielgud
Scenery and costume design Peter Farmer
Lighting design William Akers
Scenario Theophile Gautier and Vernoy de St Georges

With the Elizabethan Melbourne Orchestra (now known as Orchestra Victoria)
Conductor Noel Smith
Concertmaster Anthony Conolan