Adolphe Adam

Giselle

GISELLE, a two-act ballet by French composer Adolphe Adam (1803-1856), was premiered in Paris on June 28, 1841, and is, along with the Christmas carol MINUIT, CHRÉTIENS (O HOLY NIGHT in English), Adam's most famous work. It tells the tale of a peasant girl who, falling prey to the deceitful and selfish flirtations of a betrothed noblemen (Albrecht), dies of a broken heart when the truth is revealed. In death, she joins the wilis, ghostly spirits of girls who have died before their wedding day and mercilessly make any man they come across dance to death. But when the repentant Albrecht is caught in the wilis' snare, a forgiving Giselle saves her former beloved, which prevents her from becoming a wili herself. The ballet was an immediate success upon its premiere and remains a major part of the repertoire. This edition is by William McDermott. Instrumentation in set: 2(2dPicc).2(2dEH).2.2: 3.2.3.0: Timp.Perc(3): Hp: Str (4-4-3-3-3).