Co-choreographed by Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg, Giselle will make its American Repertory Ballet premiere at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in March 2023. This celebrated and moving production had its world premiere at the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2012, and has since toured the globe. Stiefel and Kobborg’s Giselle will be restaged and partially redesigned specifically for American Repertory Ballet by an award-winning and renowned creative team.

Music by ADOLPHE ADAM

Choreography by JOHAN KOBBORG and ETHAN STIEFEL (after Marius Petipa)

Scenic Design by HOWARD JONES

Costume Design by NATALIA STEWART

Lighting Design by JOSEPH R. WALLS

The tragic tale unfolds against the ghostly backdrop of a Rhineland forest haunted by the fearful presence of the “Wilis” – vengeful spirits of abandoned brides. The beautiful peasant girl, Giselle, falls for Albrecht who conceals his identity to win her. The discovery of her lover’s deception shatters Giselle’s innocence and causes her to die of a broken heart. Albrecht is thrown into the hands of the merciless Wilis, but Giselle cannot bear to watch him die and returns as a ghost to save him.

One of the most romantic story ballets of all time, Giselle illustrates the strength of love, the devastation of betrayal, and the power of forgiveness.