Journey into the beautiful world of love, ghosts and mystery with Houston Ballet's Giselle presented with the famous lakeside scene from Swan Lake and the spectacular showpiece, Le Corsaire (The Pirate). The ballet takes place at The Pavilion May 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for orchestra seating and are available here. Mezzanine and lawn seating are free courtesy of George P. Mitchell, The Wortham Foundation and The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts. This event also is sponsored in part by Rico's Restaurants. Pre-performance activities are sponsored by Linn Energy. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open 6:30 p.m.
Giselle, a moving new staging by celebrated Russian ballerina Ai-Gul Gaisina and artistic director Stanton Welch, was choreographed by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli to a commissioned score by Adolphe Adam. The work originally premiered in Paris on June 28, 1841.
Giselle is the story of a peasant girl deceived by Count Albrecht, her transformation into a Wili (the ghosts of women betrayed on their wedding day) and her forgiveness of her errant lover which results in his salvation. This new staging by Gaisina harkens back to the Russian productions of her childhood. Giselle is one of the oldest ballets of the Romantic era still performed.
Guests are welcome to have a picnic in their seat or on the hill at Giselle. Keep in mind that beverages cannot be brought into The Pavilion. Sitting on the hill? Lawn chairs also are provided free for this event! Pre-performance activities in the Fidelity Investments Plaza begin at 6:30 p.m. (read more below).
