Giselle Through History

​Hailed as one of the greatest of all ballets and a supreme achievement of the Romantic era, Giselle has captivated audiences worldwide since its premiere in Paris in 1841. Giselle is often referred to as the Hamlet of ballet due to the complexity of the title character.

Set in the twilight spirit world of the Wilis, the German legend tells the story of a young peasant girl’s love for a nobleman and her ultimate betrayal at his hands. Giselle’s heartbreak and despair lead to her tragic demise, but she and the other jilted village girls seek their revenge from beyond the grave as irresistible spirits of a deathly dance.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet first performed an excerpt from Giselle in 1966, and introduced the full length ballet to the RWB repertoire in 1982. We’ve taken Giselle to cities all across the continent, including Kansas, Vancouver, Calgary, Texas, and Edmonton, as well as to Edinburgh, Scotland and the 14th International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria.