It was a surprise discovering that Giselle was appearing at the National Theatre. The performance wasn’t highly advertised, so a few seats were still available. Luckily, I got one before the beautiful ballet sold out.
Many dancers were seated in the audience – they’re easy to spot – as well as people who were clearly familiar with the Belgrade ballet ensemble. I sat next to a young guy who was solid as a rock – not an ounce of flab. He sat with toes touching the ground and perfect posture. Made me think – no more M&Ms 🙄. The dancers were phenomenal, and the National Theatre Orchestra’s performance of the musical score was equally spectacular – can’t get the music out of my head…
My seat was in a box overlooking the orchestra pit. There was a small handout in Cyrillic, which I haven’t translated… Major roles and soloists were outstanding, but I didn’t catch all the names. National Theatre ballet productions are performed by “high-ranking soloists and the theatre ensemble”. These artists showcase the “premier talent of Belgrade ballet in classic romantic ballet” .
The strong lead dancers displayed exceptional skills and were truly magnificent. The dance of the Wilis was performed with breathtaking precision. Most of the media shots in this post are from previous Giselle performances at National Theatre. The ballet premiered there in 1991 and has appeared many times since then.
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“The special significance of Giselle at the National Theatre is the fact that the performance has launched a large number of Belgrade ballet artists to stardom.” narodnopozoriste.rs
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“French poet Théophile Gautier found the motif for Giselle in Victor Hugo’s poem, Fantômes, and De L’Allemagne, a Rhine legend by poet Heinrich Heine. He was also inspired by Serbian folk poetry and a Slavic legend about betrothed girls who become fairies (wilis) after dying before their weddings.”
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Background
The two-act ballet was created by French composer Adolphe Adam. Original choreography is by Leonid Lavrovsky, renowned choreographer and former Bolshoi Ballet director. Giselle premiered in Paris in 1841. The libretto was written by French poet Théophile Gautier and playwright Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges, based on a story by Heinrich Heine.
Story
Giselle epitomizes the definition of a “romantic ballet”! It’s about a “love that overcomes the barriers between two worlds“. The heroine, Giselle, is a frail, young peasant girl who falls deeply in love with Albrecht, a deceptive nobleman. When she discovers his deceit and that he’s betrothed to another woman, she goes mad and dies of a broken heart. These links provide a synopsis of the story and brief descriptions of the main characters.
Cast
The impressive lead dancers are:
- Tatjana Tatić – Giselle Peasant Girl & Village Belle
- Sergei Alexandrov – Albrecht Adventurous Nobleman
- Miloš Marijan – Hilarion Village Huntsman & Giselle’s Admirer
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“Giselle is a masterwork of the Romantic era, known for its focus on emotion, supernatural elements, and the contrast between a sunny, earthly first act and the ethereal, ‘ballet blanc‘ second act.”
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Wilis
After her death, Giselle is summoned by the Wilis to rise from her grave and join them. A sisterhood led by merciless Queen Myrtha, Wilis are vengeful supernatural spirits of betrothed women who died of heartbreak when abandoned by their lovers.
Seeking revenge, they rise from their graves at night to haunt the forests. Without mercy, they force unfaithful men to dance to their deaths. At dawn, they disappear and return to their graves in the forest. As the tragic story ends, Giselle joins Albrecht’s deadly dance and uses her powers to save him from the Wilis.
By saving the lover who betrayed her, Giselle is disloyal to the Wilis sisterhood and no longer one of them. Having broken the “chains of hatred and vengeance that control the Wilis,” Giselle is released from their powers. They disappear into the forest at dawn. After bidding farewell to Albrecht, she returns to her grave to rest in peace.
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The ghostly Wilis are the origins of the phrase “it gives me the willies”.
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It was another captivating evening at National Theatre. :o) The compelling story, dramatic music, complex acting and dancing, and scary Wilis make Giselle an unforgettable ballet you want to see over and over again!
On Saturday, I leave for Thessaloniki Greece. This extended time in Belgrade has been satisfying, and as always, an invaluable learning experience. It’ll be interesting celebrating 2026 Orthodox Easter (April 10-13) in Thessaloniki. I’m hopeful that flights between Belgrade and Thessaloniki (via Istanbul) will go as scheduled. More later…
