Adolphe Charles Adam

Adam: Giselle

The amazing Bolschoi interpretation of Theophile Gautier’s piece created in 1841 at the Opéra de Paris : Giselle. One of the great moments of Dance history that saw the main themes of Romanticism expressed. A love pastoral care that ends tragically, a fantastic world of unearthly creatures and redemption thanks to the power of love. Giselle is the dream of a poet who gets deliberately lost in a dream world… A young countryside girl seduced by a Lord, reaches the height of tragedy before falling into a supernatural epilogue. This ballet is a masterpiece of romantic ballets in which movement traduces the soul’s language. In order to write Giselle, Théophile Gautier required the help of Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges. The choregraphy was insured by Jean Coralli : first ballet director of the Opéra de Paris. Jules Perrot who was in love with the main interpret contributed to the project more than he was expected to. This reunion of talents made this romantic ballet masterpiece exist. Movement became the soul’s language. The popular Bolshoi Ballet series continues, bringing ballet lovers some of the finest performances by the worlds most acknowledged dance company.

The Greatest Ballets

Adam: Giselle

Opéra National de Paris, 2006

Giselle is Adolphe Adam’s best-known work and the title role is one of the most sought-after in ballet. It demands both technical perfection and outstanding grace and lyricism, as well as great dramatic skill. In the first act Giselle has to convey the innocence and love of a country girl, the heartbreak of being betrayed. In the second act Giselle must seem otherworldly, yet loving. Choreography: Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot adapted by Patrice Bart and Eugène Polyakov