Giselle

A staple of 19th-century romantic ballet, Giselle tells the story of a country maid who falls in love with a nobleman disguised as a peasant, who is ultimately exposed as Albrecht, the affianced husband of the Lady Bathilde through the machinations of the jealous hunter Hilarion. Like any self-respecting damsel of the genre, Giselle obligingly succumbs to madness and dies before the end of the first act, leaving all principals feeling bereft and guilty. The second act takes place in the forest domain of Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis (i.e., the spirits of virgins who died before their wedding day), where the Wilis gather each night to dance any almost-bridegrooms who visit to their deaths. When Albrecht comes to his beloved Giselle's grave, Myrtha summons Giselle's spirit to perform this task, but instead she saves his life by prolonging his dancing till dawn arrives and the Wilis lose their power. Performed by the Ballet of the Teatro alla Scala under the baton of David Coleman, and filmed live at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, this is a production boasting lavish beauty that supports but never overwhelms the story. The two principals (Svetlana Zakharova as Giselle and Roberto Bolle as Albrecht) are made for the parts and well-matched, and each has the control and technique needed to pull off the subtle but real demands of the choreography. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, and LPCM stereo, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)