I am never a fan of the ballet "Giselle". I always prefer "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake", the two very famous ballets worldwide. Those two are the equivalent of operas whereas "Giselle" to me is the equivalent of an operatta, the former on a bigger scale and the latter on a smaller scale.
But still, it is a good ballet performance. Hence we went to watch it on the last day of its run. And it exceeded my expectations! I find it even better than "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker"! Even though it is a ballet performance, the dancers danced a story. One can even feel all the emotions of love lost, hurt, betrayal and fear.
Giselle is the story of this peasant girl, whose mother made wine. It was summer and the whole village was off to the vineyards to pick grapes for making wine. In comes this Count who disguised himself as a peasant. He fell in love with Giselle and she reciprocated his feelings too.
Giselle had a suitor who was jealous of the newcomer. One day, he accidentally stumbled upon the sword of the Count, bearing the royal crest and went to expose his identity. The Count himself was already engaged to a lady of nobility, who came to the village looking for him. Giselle was heart-broken when she found out and died of a broken heart.
The next scene showed the poor villager at Giselle's grave. It was late at night and he was afraid of the ghosts. There was a saying in the village that when a girl died of a broken heart, her spirit would come back as a vengeful ghost. At this part, the ballerinas were able to just tiptoe and pointe around. Amazing! I always wondered how they managed to balance without falling?
All the spirits came out to dance. The Count, remorseful, went to cry at Giselle's grave. She had become a spirit. But their love was so strong that none of the spirits could touch him, so the Count and the spirit of Giselle danced together.
Morning came and the spirits had to go. Giselle had no choice but to bid her lover a tearful goodbye. Hence ended the ballet on a touching note.
The Singapore Dance Theatre outdid themselves again! I am sure going to support more of their productions! Now I only hope the next upcoming one will be just as good!
But still, it is a good ballet performance. Hence we went to watch it on the last day of its run. And it exceeded my expectations! I find it even better than "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker"! Even though it is a ballet performance, the dancers danced a story. One can even feel all the emotions of love lost, hurt, betrayal and fear.
Giselle is the story of this peasant girl, whose mother made wine. It was summer and the whole village was off to the vineyards to pick grapes for making wine. In comes this Count who disguised himself as a peasant. He fell in love with Giselle and she reciprocated his feelings too.
Giselle had a suitor who was jealous of the newcomer. One day, he accidentally stumbled upon the sword of the Count, bearing the royal crest and went to expose his identity. The Count himself was already engaged to a lady of nobility, who came to the village looking for him. Giselle was heart-broken when she found out and died of a broken heart.
The next scene showed the poor villager at Giselle's grave. It was late at night and he was afraid of the ghosts. There was a saying in the village that when a girl died of a broken heart, her spirit would come back as a vengeful ghost. At this part, the ballerinas were able to just tiptoe and pointe around. Amazing! I always wondered how they managed to balance without falling?
All the spirits came out to dance. The Count, remorseful, went to cry at Giselle's grave. She had become a spirit. But their love was so strong that none of the spirits could touch him, so the Count and the spirit of Giselle danced together.
Morning came and the spirits had to go. Giselle had no choice but to bid her lover a tearful goodbye. Hence ended the ballet on a touching note.
The Singapore Dance Theatre outdid themselves again! I am sure going to support more of their productions! Now I only hope the next upcoming one will be just as good!
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