Dates

12 Oct-19 Nov ’23

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet , Main Stage + Tour

Running time

2:15, incl. 1 interval

Tickets

From € 27

Giselle

Romantic classic

In 2009, Rachel Beaujean and Ricardo Bustamante created their own new version of what is probably the most romantic production in the classical ballet repertoire. Their successful interpretation of Giselle conquered not only the hearts of Dutch audiences, but also those of spectators in countries like Spain, China and Colombia. Beaujean says, “If it’s presented well, Giselle goes much further than skin-deep.”

Please note that Giselle could be seen until 19 November 2023. If you would like to see another famous romantic ballet classic, we recommend Raymonda (9 Dec '23-1 Jan '24).

Info & tickets Raymonda

Photo: Marta Syrko

Romantic classic

The ‘original’ version of Giselle dates from the heyday of Romanticism, but the ballet is still danced all over the world today. Associate artistic director Rachel Beaujean, who this season is celebrating twenty years as the head of Dutch National Ballet’s artistic staff, says, “Iconic ballets like Giselle and Raymonda are essential works for measuring up as a company on the international scene. Just like the Rembrandts are essential to the identity of the Rijksmuseum, for us these ballets are our heritage. Giselle is our Night Watch, as it were.”

 

Relevant to all times and cultures

The theme of Giselle, impossible love, is relevant to all times and cultures. The main character, Giselle, believes she has found her true love in Albrecht, but he is not the person she thought he was. Even worse, he is engaged to someone else. Albrecht’s love for Giselle has fatal consequences, but even in death Giselle is still capable of love and forgiveness.

 

Ethereal beauty

Along with former ballet star Ricardo Bustamante, Beaujean breathed new life into Giselle, so that the ballet still fascinates and moves today’s audiences. Nevertheless, respect for tradition is a priority in their adaptation, and the same applies to the beautiful set and costume designs by Toer van Schayk. Beaujean says, “Giselle has no sell-by date. The choreographic composition remains phenomenal.” Bustamante adds, “The second act has such an ethereal beauty that even people who’ve never seen a ballet before can be totally hypnotised by it.”

Credits

Choreography  Marius Petipa, after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot 

Production and additional choreography  Rachel Beaujean and Ricardo Bustamante 

Set and costume design  Toer van Schayk

Music  Adolphe Adam – Giselle, ou les Wilis (1841)

Musical accompaniment  Dutch Ballet Orchestra conducted by Ermanno Florio / second conductor during the tour Nathan Brock

Online programme

Along with the printed programme book, we also offer online programme information for this performance. The online programme will take you behind the scenes with in-depth stories, articles, and interviews with the creators and cast.

Olga as Giselle
Giselle - Olga Smirnova - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev
Giselle - Jacopo Tissi
Giselle - HNB 23-24 | Photos: Alex Gouliaev
Olga and Jacopo
Giselle - with Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev
Wili's
Dutch National Ballet (2015) - Wili's | Photo: Angela Sterling
Anna Tsygankova
Anna Tsygankova - Giselle - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev
two ballerinas in long tutus
Giselle - Wili's | Photo: Angela Sterling
Giselle
Giselle - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev
At court
Photo: Angela Sterling
Giselle
Dutch National Ballet (2020) | Photo: Marc Haegeman
In the village
Photo: Marc Haegeman
Festivities
Photo: Marc Haegeman
Constantine Allen and Riho Sakamoto in Giselle
Constantine Allen and Riho Sakamoto in Giselle - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev
Constantine Allen and Riho Sakamoto in Giselle
Constantine Allen and Riho Sakamoto in Giselle- HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev
Jessica Xuan and Davi Ramos in Giselle
Jessica Xuan and Davi Ramos in Giselle - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev
Jessica Xuan in Giselle
Jessica Xuan in Giselle - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev
Anna Ol in Giselle
Anna Ol in Giselle - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Alex Gouliaev

The story

Giselle is a young peasant girl. She enjoys dancing. Her mother is concerned. This is due to Giselle’s weak heart. She is concerned that Giselle would suffer harm as a result of all of her dancing...

Highlights from Giselle

Giselle

Giselle is our Night Watch, as it were’

5 reasons to look forward to ... Giselle

Anna Tsygankova and Giorgi Potskhishvili repeteren for Giselle
Rehearsals Giselle - Anna Tsygankova and Giorgi Potskhishvili - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Altin Kaftira
Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi rehearsing for Giselle
Rehearsals Giselle - Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Altin Kaftira
Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi rehearsing for Giselle
Rehearsals Giselle - Olga Smirnova and Jacopo Tissi - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Altin Kaftira
Maia and Victor rehearsing for Giselle
Rehearsals Giselle - Maia Makhateli and Victor Caixeta - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Altin Kaftira
Qian Liu and Semyon Velichko rehearsing for Giselle
Rehearsals Giselle - Qian Liu and Semyon Velichko - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Altin Kaftira
Riho and Constantine rehearsing for Giselle
Rehearsals Giselle - Riho Sakamoto and Constantine Allen - HNB 23-24 | Photo: Altin Kaftira

The white act

Giselle - the white act
the orchestra with ballet dancers in the background

Dutch Ballet Orchestra

Dutch Ballet Orchestra’s mission is ‘to inspire movement in dance’. Since its inception in 1965, the orchestra has been the proud musical partner of Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater. In every performance, the orchestra searches for inspiring synergy between music and dance, in order to give the audience a magical experience.

Dutch Ballet Orchestra

Led by principal conductor Matthew Rowe, Dutch Ballet Orchestra is the leading orchestra for dance in the Netherlands. The orchestra accompanies performances ranging from traditional ballet to modern dance, alongside its activities in music education and talent development.

Besides performances with Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater, Dutch Ballet Orchestra has a long tradition of innovative – and award-winning – family performances. For instance, Creatures (in collaboration with ISH Dance Collective) received the international Young Audiences Music Award, and the production Hansel and Gretel (in collaboration with Orkater) won various Musical Awards. In these productions, the musicians play from memory, without a conductor and in costumes, so that they form an integral part of the performance.

And finally, Dutch Ballet Orchestra has a long-term partnership with the Dutch National Ballet Academy. They are therefore involved in the music curriculum for pupils and students, facilitate student visits to orchestra rehearsals and provide music for the academy’s end-of-year performance, where possible.

hetballetorkest.nl/en

Podcast 1

Brief explanation of the history, story and music of Giselle.

Podcast - Giselle - introduction - in Dutch

By: Lin van Ellinckhuijsen

Podcast 2

Interview with Rachel Beaujean - Associate Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet and responsible for the adaptation of Giselle in cooperation with Ricardo Bustamente. In this podcast, she talks about the search for the original material, the retranslation she and Ricardo made together and their choices and considerations.

 

Podcast - Giselle - interview with Rachel Beaujean - in Dutch

By: Lin van Ellinckhuijsen

The Story of Giselle - an animation

Scène from the performance with Giselle and count

Partners Junior Company