Message from the Artistic Director

Christopher Anderson| Artistic Director, Alberta Ballet

Few ballets evoke an emotional response like Giselle, the most famous work of the Romantic era. Premiering in 1841, the original concept came from Théophile Gautier, with help from Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges.  

The emotional response to Giselle remains through countless transformations to the story, the characters, the location, and the choreography.  

Our approach to Giselle is inspired by some of the great performances from the early to mid-1900s. These years saw some of the most profound ballerinas dance Giselle, and the essence of those performances are where I feel the heart of this story lives. 

Our Giselles, Albrechts, Hilarions, and Myrthas are all crafting their own relationships and associations with each other, creating unique characterizations and performances that are authentic to them.  

As this world opens to the dancers, who become the characters in the story, the ballet takes on a life of its own. 

Experiencing a new ballet come together remains a marvel - and I am ever grateful for all the artists who make such an accomplishment possible. 

Thank you for being here, and thank you for supporting Alberta Ballet! 

Act 1 

The mood is celebratory in the village with the harvest underway and Giselle is in high spirits. She has met a new arrival in the village, Albrecht, and is delighted to find he is just as enchanted with her as she is with him. Hilarion, a local gamekeeper who seeks Giselle's hand for himself, is frustrated by their relationship and is suspicious of Albrecht. 

Giselle is bright and graceful with a love for dance but has a weak heart. Her mother, Berthe, is fearful that Giselle’s love for dance will be her undoing. Any shock to her heart – be it dancing or heartbreak - could prove Giselle’s demise.    

When a hunting party arrives at the village, with the charming and elegant Princess Bathilde among its members, Hilarion unravels Albrecht’s secret: Albrecht is really a duke who is betrothed to Princess Bathilde. 

Hilarion reveals this knowledge, and the truth shocks Giselle to her core. As she struggles to absorb the stark reality of the deception, her heart gives way, and she dies. 

Act 2 

Giselle has been laid to rest in the forest, which is where we find the Wilis. Known and feared in the villages throughout the region, the Wilis are spirits of young women who have died of heartbreak. They are led by their queen, Myrtha, and this ghostly sisterhood forces wayfarers travelling through the forest to dance to their deaths. 

The Wilis have gathered at Giselle’s grave to initiate her into the group, and when Hilarion arrives, he is ensnared by these spirits and meets his demise. Albrecht faces a similar fate when he visits the grave, but Giselle intercedes. She dances with Albrecht through the night, devising to hold strong until dawn, when the power of the Wilis will wane.  

The end has been one of the most changed elements over the years. In the early morning light, Albrecht is either left alone with memories of his lost Giselle or, following the original telling, is rescued by Princess Bathilde. Which ending will Alberta Ballet reveal on the Jubilee stage?    

MUSIC CREDITS:
Composed By: Adolphe Adam
Performed By: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Morgrelia, Andrew 
Courtesy of Naxos of America, Inc. 

PRODUCTION CREDITS:
Scenery and Costumes Courtesy of  PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE

Giselle Libretto

Giselle Artistic Team

YEE-HANG YAM
Artistic Operations Manager

KEN JAMES STEWART
Stage Manager

BETH AIRTON
Apprentice Stage Manager

ANDREA GINTER
Alberta Ballet Lead Physiotherapist -
Momentum Health

COMPANY TEACHERS
Shino Mori
Aram Manukyan 
Alexandra Gibson
Jennifer Gibson
Yoshiya Sakurai

COMPANY PIANISTS
Juanita Faas
Marina Fedorov
Michael Levin
Mary Martell

Alberta Ballet Dancers

Casting

Subject to Change

Alberta Ballet Dancers Supported by

Alberta Ballet Apprentices Supported By

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Did you know that Alberta Ballet relies on multiple income streams to bring these incredible performances to the stage?

Donations are at the very heart of our funding. As a registered charity, Alberta Ballet relies on donations to bridge the shortfall to perform in the Jubilee, create new works and attract the best talent. As stewards of a rarified art form, we face a delicate balance, and ticket prices only get us part of the way there. Donations make it possible for us to deliver the art you love. ​

Conceived during the pandemic, Alberta Ballet created an Endowment Fund to provide more financial stability in the years to come. When our goal of $15 million is reached, the Endowment Fund will start providing consistent, predictable disbursements that will help us bring seasons like this one to life. It will also help Alberta Ballet be a haven for Albertans to connect with each other and themselves whether they are deeply moved in our audience, taking their first step into a community dance class, or pursuing their craft through professional dance training.  

Dance has the power to unite communities and transform lives through inspiration. Please consider making a one-time or recurring donation today.  

To make a donation to the Forever Moved campaign or to learn more about the Endowment Fund, please visit our website.

ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2022/23

Thank you to our donors!

Over these many uncertain months, we’ve been grateful to our donor community for all the ways they’ve supported our mission to share dance and ballet.

As we return to the Jubilee with a full season, we’re looking forward to reconnecting this community to the art form they find so deeply inspirational.

If you are a passionate Alberta Ballet patron, consider joining our donor community.

To find out more, visit our website or email us at donate@albertaballet.com.

A whole community works behind-the-scenes,
helping us inspire you with dance!

2022/23 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS
AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Feature Image by Eluvier Acosta, featuring Mariko Kondo and Yoshiya Sakurai