Giselle
»The lovers’ dance radiates romance« Svenska Dagbladet
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DATES:April 3 - 24
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STAGE:Main stage
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RUNNING TIME:approx. 2 hrs 10 mins
Natalia Makarova’s acclaimed production, created specifically for the Royal Swedish Ballet: the ballet classic Giselle is a gem on the romantic dance repertoire, a timeless masterpiece in tulle and pointe shoes.
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Subscribe to the newsletter →The ballet classic Giselle has been a gem on the romantic dance repertoire since it premiered in Paris in 1841. With its beautiful music and strong narrative with both realism and supernatural elements it is a timeless masterpiece in tulle and pointe. Natalia Makarova’s acclaimed production, created specifically for the Royal Swedish Ballet, now returns.
The peasant girl Giselle falls in love with Albrecht, but he is a count and already engaged to the noble Bathilde. Giselle dies of a broken heart and becomes a wili, a mythological female apparition. The vengeful wilis dance at night together with their queen when a repentant Albrecht comes to mourn Giselle. But the price he will pay for a last dance with his beloved is high.
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Act 1
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Interval
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Act 2
Introductions
Ahead of all performances on the main stage a free introduction to the piece for tickets holders takes place in the Golden Foyer 45 minutes before the performance starts!
Föreställningsbilder
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Giselle with the Royal Swedish Ballet 2025 -
Giselle with the Royal Swedish Ballet 2025 -
Giselle with the Royal Swedish Ballet 2025 -
Giselle with the Royal Swedish Ballet 2025 -
Giselle with the Royal Swedish Ballet 2025 -
Giselle with the Royal Swedish Ballet 2025
Giselle - trailer 2025
Giselle is a romantic masterpiece by the legendary prima ballerina Natalia Makarova.
Giselle - trailer 2025
Giselle, highlights from - playlist
Adolphe Adams' music for the romantic ballet classic Giselle.
Giselle, highlights from - playlist
Ballet in the Park with the Royal Swedish Ballet
The Royal Swedish Ballet meets the audience in Vitabergsparken and shows how a rehearsal is done and offers the second act of the romantic ballet Giselle.
Ballet in the Park with the Royal Swedish Ballet
En pointe - podcast
To make a tutu - behind the scenes
The Royal Swedish Opera's costume departement demonstrates how they make a classic skirt for the Royal Swedish Ballet,;a tutu. Approximately 70 meters of tulle is used and it takes around 18 hours.
To make a tutu - behind the scenes
Pointe shoes - behind the scenes
The Royal Swedish Ballet's soloist Minji Nam on the relationship to her pointe shoes, the dancer's most important tool.
Pointe shoes - behind the scenesWhat happens in Giselle?
Read our short summary of both acts below.
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Act 1
Giselle, a young girl, is in love with Albert, a nobleman, who comes to her village in disguise. He is infatuated with Giselle and swears his eternal love to her. Hilarion, the village huntsman, is also in love with Giselle. He is angered by Giselle's rejection and determinded to find proof that Albert is not who he appears to be. The villagers return from the grape-harvest. Giselle loves to dance and invites them to join her. Giselle's Mother tries to stop her. She is afraid that the dance shall ruin her daughter's fragile health. She warns her of the legend of the Wilis, girls who are devoted to dancing and who die of disappointed love.
A hunting party stops in the village to rest and the Duke and Bathilde meet Giselle. Bathilde is enchanted by her and gives her a necklace, unaware that they are both engaged to the same man. Hilarion finds the proof he is seeking when he matches the crests of the Duke's hunting horn with Albert's sword. He reveals the truth about Albert's identity. The deception is too much for Giselle to bear. Her descent into madness leads to her death of a broken heart. -
Act 2
Hilarion keeps vigil at Giselle's grave by a forest lake. This is where the Wilis materialize – spirits of young girls who gather at night round their queen and dance, luring young men into their magic circle. Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis appears and summons Giselle from her grave to be initiated into the Wilis' rites.
Albert comes to grieve at his beloved's grave tormented by his conscience. Giselle appears before him. She seems to take flight, beckoning for him to follow her. The Wilis pursue Hilarion, whom they dance to his death, and next fall vengefully upon Albert. Myrtha condemns him to dance until he dies, and though Giselle urges him to the safety of the cross on her grave, Myrtha commands Giselle to dance and lure Albert from the cross. Giselle tries to sustain him, but his dancing becomes more and more exhausted. Just as his death seems imminent, dawn breaks. Daylight destroys their power and the ghostly Wilis fade away. Albert's life has been saved. Giselle's spirit is released and her soul may now rest in peace.
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Cast
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Choreography & music
Choreography Natalia Makarova after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot
LibrettoThéophile Gautier, after De l'Allemagne by Heinrich Heine and Fantômes by Victor Hugo
Music Adolphe Adam
Conductors Philippe Béran, Sofia Winiarski
Scenography Tony Straiges
Costumes David Walker
Light Martin Säfström
Cast subject to change.
Your visit to the Opera
Frequesntly asked questions
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At what time do I have to be at the Opera before the performance?
We recommend that you arrive at least half an hour before the performance begins. If you can arrive earlier, it's even better: 45 minutes before the start of the performance, there is a free audience introduction in the Golden Foyer - an excellent way to approach the performance!
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It's my first time at the Opera - what do I do?
We have put together some useful tips for your visit. Otherwise, our best advice is to arrive on time - discover the Opera House, leave your coat in the cloakroom, eat or drink something. AND, ask our ushers - they'll be happy to help! Also remember not to bring large bags with you: only small bags (no larger than a standard A4 sheet of paper) will be allowed into the auditorium.
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Can my ticket be rebooked or cancelled if I or someone in my party is ill?
You can rebook tickets yourself on the website up to 24 hours before the start of the performance within the the current season. Tickets cannot be cancelled (read more in our general terms and conditions).
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Can you eat and drink at the Opera?
Of course you can! Our partner Restaurang Grodan is on the ground floor facing Strömgatan - take the opportunity to book a table ahead of your visit! Each floor also has a service with drinks and snacks, at the stalls' café there is a slightly larger selection. We advice you to pre-book the intermission service so it is ready and waiting for you during the interval!
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