Giselle
One of the greatest Romantic ballets, Giselle tells the poignant tale of a peasant girl with a gentle heart and a passion for dance. First love and a shocking revelation lead to a tour de force moment for the title character: Giselle’s mad scene. This magnificent production takes audiences on an unforgettable journey, from joyous celebrations in a Rhineland village to forest glade haunted by the ethereal spirits of maidens doomed to spend eternity dancing through the darkness, from the ultimate betrayal to tender forgiveness.
Feb 24–Mar 5
Single tickets on sale now
COMPOSER
Adolphe Adam, with additional music, orchestrations and arrangements by Friedrich Burgmüller, Ludwig Minkus, and Emil de Cou
PRODUCTION
Helgi Tomasson
CHOREOGRAPHER
Helgi Tomasson after Marius Petipa, Jules Perrot, and Jean Coralli
Scenic, Costume and Lighting Design: Mikael Melbye
Assistant Lighting Designer: Lisa J. Pinkham
Assistant to the Choreographer: Lola de Avila
World Premiere (complete ballet): June 28, 1841—Paris Opera Ballet, Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique; Paris, France
San Francisco Ballet Premiere (Tomasson production): April 8, 1999—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
The 1999 world premiere of Helgi Tomasson’s Giselle was underwritten by The Hellman Family, The Edward E. Hills Fund, Lucy and Fritz Jewett, and an anonymous donor, in honor of Chris Hellman. This project was made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Dance Residency Program (NDRP), a program underwritten by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered at the New York Foundation.