If you're expecting business as usual while attending PNB's world premiere of Gisele, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Marking it's 170th anniversary, Gisele has something for everyone: joy, love, heartbreak and revenge.
The story is of a young peasant girl who is wooed by a handsome suitor, who ultimately betrays her. Dying of a broken heart she must join the eerie band of Wilis; women who died before their wedding day and now doomed to eternity to destroy any man who finds himself in their path.
Admittedly a story line such as that is insufficient to generate a feel good factor.
So if the storyline doesn't grab you, the music, staging and expressive movement onstage surely will.
With choreography by Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot, and Marius Petipa, set to the music of Adolphe Adam, Carla Körbes performed the leading role with poise and grace, taking the youthful and joyful character from the first act and carrying her into the second act as a ghost resigned to her fate. Körbes carves out the role with such passion that is truly heartfelt and palpable throughout the audience.
The second act brings the troupe of beautifully creepy Wilis and their leader, coming out at midnight to dance, for the most part in unison, with eerie precision. Characters at once beguiling and demure, in their soft flowing layers of tulle, and yet, watching them you are reminded that there is no goodness whatsoever in their eternal purpose. It was truly a captivating and memorable performance.
Körbes will return in Saturday night's performance with Lesley Rausch, Kaori Nakamura, and Rachel Foster also taking the lead role.
Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 206 441 2424.
Comments