Vienna, VA – When I first got into ballet coverage a couple years ago I had no idea what I was getting into. I was not certain how to go about writing up a dance story without sounding like I had no idea what I was talking about. I just knew that it was an artform I was not familiar with and part of the story would be a novice’s journey into the art.
The first thing I need to make clear is I know nothing about ballet but I do know beauty (dance and the music), strength (OMG), and a good story (without words) when I see it. I can really relate to the words of another ballet novice who once said to me, “When it started I thought I was supposed to focus on the dance but soon I found I was telling myself the story”. I could not have said it better. It is about the story. Sure, I could talk, using technical terms to make it sound like I knew all about the dance, but the story is what makes it amazing.
On July 28, 2023, at the Feline Center at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA I had the opportunity to catch New York’s American Ballet Theatre’s performance of “Giselle” (I am so grateful to ABT for letting me capture such a wonderful performance). As with many ballet performances this is a story of love and betrayal. The supernatural (in a revengeful way) also plays a huge role in the performance.
Giselle Photo Gallery 1
The moment Act 1 kicked off it is obvious that love is going to be in the air. In the early morning we are greeted by the peasant lovers (Betsy MdBride and Carlos Gonzalez).An appearance by Hilarion the Huntsman (Andrii Ishchuck) precedes the incognito entrance of the Count Albrecht (Thomas Forster) along with his soon to disappear squire (Patrick Frenette). As with so many counts in disguise, he has a mission in mind.
Through the door of the European Tudor emerges the love interest of both Hilarion and soon to be the count, Giselle (Skylar Brandt). Giving off an air of innocence, she inquisitively danced about the stage. The mood immediately changed the instant Giselle runs into the incognito count. It was love, with a touch of timidity and hard to get, at first sight. After a short Pas de Deux (dance by 2), Hilarion, also in love with Giselle, enters to warn Giselle of the stranger in their midst. The competition is on.
As it turns out, this is a local wine festival. The hunting party of the prince, along with his daughter enters. The daughter becomes friends with Giselle, not knowing that they share the same love interest (same man, different appearance). The festival celebration was grand, with so many dancers and friends taking over the stage. The royal hunting party was part of the celebration and was treated to a grand pas de deux by the peasant couple. The joy was short lived as Hilarion discovered the count’s sword and now knew the identify of the stranger. The count’s plan was crumbling before our eyes.
The big twist when the daughter discovered that her supposed soon to be husband to be was disguised as a peasant and had stolen the heart of Giselle. The prince’s daughter recognized the count he knew the gig was up. As he groveled to royalty the peasant shock was very evident. Skylar’s acting got kudos from me as yes, she indeed had the look of a woman scorned… and broken hearted. She danced insanely until her weakened body gave in and death made the decision for the count… or did he? Curtain closes to act 1.
Giselle Photo Gallery 2
Act 2 was quite terrifying, especially if a man with who, shall I say, has broken anyone’s heart. As the lights come up, Hilarion is mourning the death of Giselle. From the darkness emerges Myrta (Catherine Hurlin), queen of the Wilis. It would be an understatement to say that this was not a good thing for Hilarion as the Wilis were spirits of unmarried women who had been betrayed by their lovers. In death they did not take the betrayal lightly as they were destined to take revenge on all men by dancing them to death.
The choreography at this point was awesome as the interaction with Myrta, her second in commands, Moyna (Erica Lall) and Zulma (Zimmi Coker) by her side and the entire Wilis armada at the ready. One does not have to be a ballet expert to see the absolute beauty in the movement. With Myrta at the helm they prepare to destroy Hilarion as a mourning Count Albrecht also enters.
Giselle appears and apparently requests to unite with the Count. She appears before him at her grave for a very emotional pas de deuxs. If I get the entirety of the story wrong, I hope I am forgiven, but it appeared as though while Giselle was embracing her lover one last time from the grave the Wilis’ were plotting his demise… while rehearsing with Hilarion.
The costuming and makeup for Hilarion was very important at this point as it was obvious the sea of Wilis was dancing him to his demise. With the Count next on the list, even in death by betrayal, Giselle’s love spared the life of the mourning royalty, standing between him and the Wilis (and Myrta). Unmoved by Giselle’s pleas to spare the Count, the Wilis force him to dance through the night, this time with Giselle at his side. Exhausted, he collapses multiple times. In the end Giselle’s love in death overpowers the vengeance of Myrta and the Wilis, sparing his life. They reach out to each other as she returns to the grace with the coming sun. The curtain closes. Well done!
Giselle Photo Gallery 3
Credits
Choreography JEAN CORALLI, JULES PERROT, and MARIUS PETIPA
Staged by KEVIN McKENZIE
Libretto by THÉOPHILE GAUTIER, on a theme by HEINRICH HEINE
Music by ADOLPHE ADAM
Orchestrated by JOHN LANCHBERY
Scenery by GIANNI QUARANTA
Costumes by ANNA ANNI
Lighting by JENNIFER TIPTON
Cast
Giselle SKYLAR BRANDT
Count Albrecht THOMAS FORSTER
Hilarion, the Village Huntsman and a Gamekeeper to the Court ANDRII ISHCHUK
Wilfred, the count’s squire PATRICK FRENETTE
Berthe, Giselle’s mother CLAIRE DAVISON
The Prince of Courland ALEXEI AGOUDINE
Bathilde, the Prince’s daughter ISADORA LOYOLA
Peasant Pas de Deux BETSY McBRIDE and CARLOS GONZALEZ
Giselle’s Friends Lauren Bonfiglio, Kathryn Boren, Léa Fleytoux, Hannah Marshall, Ingrid Thoms, Kotomi Yamada
Villagers Sierra Armstrong, Leah Baylin, Elisabeth Beyer, Teresa D’Ortone,
Scout Forsythe, Tillie Glatz, Kiely Groenewegen, Anabel Katsnelson, Kanon Kimura, Virginia Lensi, Rachel Richardson, Aleisha Walker, Tristan Brosnan, Jacob Clerico, Luigi Crispino, Michael de la Nuez, Melvin Lawovi, Elwince Magbitang, Duncan McIlwaine, João Menegussi
Court Ladies and Gentlemen Camila Ferrera, Abbey Marrison, Yoon Jung Seo, Courtney Shealy, Olivia Tweedy, Finnian Carmeci, Jarod Curley, Cy Doherty, Duncan McIlwaine, Joseph Markey, Andrew Robare
Myrta CATHERINE HURLIN
Moyna ERICA LALL
Zulma ZIMMI COKER
The Wilis Sierra Armstrong, Leah Baylin, Elisabeth Beyer, Teresa D’Ortone, Camila Ferrera, Léa Fleytoux, Scout Forsythe, Tillie Glatz, Kiely Groenewegen, Emily Hayes, Kanon Kimura, Fangqi Li, Abbey Marrison, Hannah Marshall, Rachel Richardson, Aleisha Walker, Paulina Waski, Kotomi Yamada
Conductor: DAVID LaMARCHE
Show Date: July 28, 2023
