The Haunting Original

The Atlanta Ballet presents repertory favorite Giselle for Valentine's Day, replete with live music from the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. A haunting exploration of young love in all its brightness with ever-present tragedy waiting in the wings, it features some of the most challenging virtuoso roles for dancers to tackle. Marius Petipa's exquisite choreography first wowed audiences in Paris in 1841 and continues to weave its kinetic magic today as a much-performed and internationally beloved work.

What Is The Story?

Adolphe Adam's enchanting score punctuates the tale of Giselle, a beautiful and gentle peasant girl who is pursued by Duke Albrecht, disguised as a peasant himself. But the Duke finds himself a rival for her affections however in the form of Hilarion, a fellow villager who is suspicious of him. He has good reason to be distrustful; the Duke is betrothed to marry another. This comes to light during a brawl between her two suitors, during which Giselle dies of a heart attack. 
The titular damsel then joins a group of ghostly brides, who all perished before being married to their loves... Albrecht is devastated and tries to kill himself but can Giselle's spirit and enduring love save him?