According to those in the ballet-know, Giselle is THE most dramatic and beautiful of ballets. Lucky for us, then, that it’s the next ballet touring New Zealand from the Royal NZ Ballet this November…
According to those in the ballet-know, Giselle is THE most dramatic and beautiful of ballets. Lucky for us, then, that it’s the next ballet touring New Zealand from the Royal NZ Ballet this November.
It will premiere in Wellington on 7 November then go to another seven cities around the country with the romantic tale of Albrecht, who betrays the innocent village girl Giselle and causes her death, only to be protected by her spirit beyond the grave.
Prima ballerina Gillian Murphy, RNZB Principal Guest Artist and star of American Ballet Theatre, will dance the role of Giselle. Apparently, dancing Giselle is "one of the most demanding and dramatic in the classical ballet repertoire" and it’s her first time to dance it, so will be well worth watching, as she is completely amazing.
Below: Dimitri Kleioris, Qi Huan and Gillian Murphy. Photo by Ross Brown.
About Giselle:
Wonderfully passionate, Giselle is a story of how the power of forgiveness and redemption can overcome the anguish of love and betrayal. The story unfolds against the ghostly backdrop of a forest haunted by Wilis, vengeful spirits of abandoned brides.
First staged in Paris in 1841, Giselle is one of the oldest surviving ballets still in the international repertory. The music by Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) is one of the first full-length ballet scores ever to be composed. The score, performed live by the Vector Wellington Orchestra in Wellington and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in Auckland, will be conducted by leading British conductor Michael Lloyd.
Russian ballet dancer turned costume designer Natalia Stewart has designed the costumes. She trained at the London College of Fashion and has collaborated with Johan Kobborg before on several of his productions. American scenic designer Howard C Jones has created a picturesque village and eerie graveyard settings, while New York lighting designer Kendall Jones will light the production.
TelstraClear Season of Giselle tour dates:
Wellington: 7-11 November, St James Theatre featuring Wellington Vector Orchestra
Christchurch: 15 – 17 November, CBS Arena
Invercargill: 20 & 21 November, Civic Theatre
Dunedin: 24 & 25 November, Regent Theatre
Auckland: 29 November – 2 December, ASB Theatre featuring Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Rotorua: 5 December, Civic Theatre
Napier: 8 & 9 December, Napier Municipal Theatre
Palmerston North: 12 December, Regent on Broadway
Approximate running time: 2 hours, including 1 interval
Megan Robinson 13 October 2012
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