Giselle (AstanaOpera)

Adolphe ADAM

GISELLE

Ballet in 2 acts

Choreography by Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot, Marius Petipa

The story is based on the legend about the Wilis – maidens who had died because of being deceived by their lovers and kept a dangerous grudge against all the male mortals. Dressed in bridal gowns, the Wilis compel the wayfarers to join in their giddy whirling movements until they die from exhaustion. French writer Théophile Gautier was inspired by Heinrich Heine’s story and, within days, together with Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges created the plot. Adolphe Adam wrote the music in three weeks. The experienced Jean Coralli and the young Jules Perrot were chosen to design the choreography.

Soon after the premiere at the Paris Grand Opéra on 28 June 1841, Giselle was recognized as a remarkable achievement of ballet art. The unique balance of storyline and choreography determined success of the ballet, primarily in Russia. In 1850s in Saint Petersburg the ballet was further improved by Jules Perrot. However, the final choreographic version belongs to Marius Petipa, who, with respect to the romantic ballet style, polished it masterly and became the third choreographer of Giselle.

Carlotta Grisi became the first to dance Giselle, followed by outstanding Russian ballerinas, such as Tamara Karsavina, Anna Pavlova, Olga Spessivtseva, Galina Ulanova, Natalia Bessmertnova and Altynai Asylmuratova...

The plot of Giselle is clear and compact: two acts – the real and fantastic worlds -symbolize the opposition of dreams and severe reality.

The main treasure of Giselle is in its choreography that features arabesque – one of the most beautiful forms of classical dance. The choreographic beauty of the Wilis fascinates the audience forever. Time, fashion and tastes change, however, Giselle’s success is eternal.

ROLES AND PERFORMERS

Giselle:           Madina UNERBAYEVA, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan /

                        Anastasia ZAKLINSKAYA

Albrecht:         Yerkin RAKHMATULLAYEV, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan /

                        Dias KURMANGAZY

Myrtha:        Sofiya ADILKHANOVA / Amina KISEMBAYEVA

Hans:            Kuat KARIBAYEV / Galymzhan NURMUKHAMET

Berthe:          Inessa KOTLOBAYEVA / Alina KHALIMOLLA

Wilfried: Olzhas ANUARBEK / Aspan BEKBAY (Debut)

Bathilde: Alina KHALIMOLLA / Assel KENZHEBEKOVA

Duke: Zhanibek IMANKULOV

Inserted Pas de Deux: Moldir SHAKIMOVA, Rustam CHAKHALOV /

                                      Alina ZYRYANOVA (Debut), Akbar IMINOV (Debut)

BALLET DANCERS AND ORCHESTRA OF THE ASTANA OPERA HOUSE

PRODUCTION GROUP

Ballet Master - Producer: Altynai Asylmuratova, People's Artist of Russia

Assistant Ballet Masters - Producers: Konstantin Zaklinsky, Honoured Artist of Russia / Elena Sherstneva

Music Director and Conductor: Arman Urazgaliyev

Conductor: Ruslan Baimurzin

Set Designer: Ezio Frigerio

Costume Designer: Franca Squarciapino

Lighting Designer: Vincenzo Raponi

Tickets purchased at the Astana Opera are exchangeable and refundable only in cases of cancelled or postponed performances. In all other cases, no refunds and exchanges are possible.