GISELLE BALLET INSIGHTS | THE STORY BEHIND THE BALLET

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GISELLE BALLET INSIGHTS | THE STORY BEHIND THE BALLET | BALLET REIGN

Рет қаралды 55,261

Жыл бұрын

Today we dive deep into one of the oldest ballets in history and a timeless tale of love, betrayal, and redemption: the incredible ballet, Giselle, with musical score by Adolphe Adam. We share about the early makings of the ballet, subtle nuances in the music, and some touching details in the choreography and storyline that you may not have known before.
Thank you to all of you who requested and voted for for this video; we really enjoyed filming it, and we definitely didn't get emotionally wrecked in the process... at all.
Have you seen this ballet or danced in it? After you nerd out about this ballet with us, let us know your favorite part of Giselle in the comments.
We'd love to hear your Giselle stories and what you think of this ballet!
Grace to you,
J&E
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Featured production: Polish National Ballet’s “Giselle” with Chinara Alizade as Giselle and Vladimir Yaroshenko as Count Albrect/Loys
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Пікірлер: 402

@violetbunches5438 Жыл бұрын

A detail my hometown ballet always added- that Albrect, as a royal, wore his sword on his right, while peasants wore their weapons on the left… so when Albrect reaches to the right, Hilarion immediately spots him as a royal.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

That’s a very interesting add to the story, such a subtle but definitive giveaway! Thank you for sharing

@tarantellalarouge7632 11 ай бұрын

I think that only men from the aristocracy were allowed to wear a sword in the ancien regime (French monarchy), and mostly on the left side because it is more common to be right handed (and at the time it was not allowed also to be left handed).

@lavandeyracaro 11 ай бұрын

Explication exacte.

@tarantellalarouge7632 11 ай бұрын

@@lavandeyracaro je crois que l'explication n'est pas tout à fait exacte car seuls les nobles étaient autorisés à porter des épées, et plutôt à gauche car la plupart des gens sont droitiers (à l'époque les gauchers étaient souvent contrariés). Les paysans avaient peut-être des couteaux dans leurs poches mais pas d'épées Le fait de monter à cheval du côté gauche (du cheval) vient aussi du fait que les chevaliers portaient leurs épées à gauche, ce qui rend plus pratique cet exercice un peu difficile ! Mais ce n'est pas très grave car ce qui se passe dans les ballets ne reflète pas vraiment la réalité : des jeunes filles qui sortent de leurs tombes ou qui sont transformées en cygnes ! 🦢🦢🦢

@a_girl_on_the_interwebs Ай бұрын

That’s cool

@martinfitzgerald6705 Жыл бұрын

There are two kinds of people in the world, those who think Giselle is the most wonderful ballet in the world and those who are wrong … !

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Hahha Giselle the ballet is hard not to love, the story has so much depth of emotion (A good love story about forgiveness ❤️) and the music is so integral and carries the story so well.

@marylee8372 Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@RealYourNightmare1193 9 ай бұрын

This Ballet made my father silently cry. My mother well educated , took dad a tough man , to see it. It was his 1st time in the theatre. He was silent & in awe , as tears rolled down his face occasionally, clearly overwhelmed. He was a war hero & came from an impoverished background, where his toys were the rats on the local tip. But he died knowing the beautiful things in life.

@joebloggs619 5 ай бұрын

That is a beautiful comment.

@balletreign 5 ай бұрын

Wow this really touched our hearts. Thank you sm for sharing that with us and the community ❤️

@vernahartinger416 Жыл бұрын

Many years ago, as an American university exchange student, I was fortunate to get to see a performance of Giselle at the Paris Opera Ballet. We were expecting student seats to be in the fourth balcony but instead we were seated in the middle of around the third row of the orchestra section. It was breathtaking and I will remember it for the rest of my life. Thanks for sharing the history, the subtleties of the story, and the leitmotif info with us. Also Natalia Osipova (who is phenomenal in it - and pretty much everything else).

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

What an amazing experience and opportunity for you to see Giselle ❤️ The Paris Opera House is definitely on our bucket list! Thanks for watching- happy to share this video on Giselle with all of you 😊 Yes, we are huge fans of Natalia Osipova, one of the best!!

@broo.ke_d 11 ай бұрын

My favorite part of Giselle is the mad scene. It’s SO powerful and makes me want to cry. In my opinion, Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov do it the best. I will watch it a thousand times a day

@balletreign 11 ай бұрын

It’s just so moving 🥺🥺

@charc3345 Жыл бұрын

I’m not gonna lie-I’ve never been much interested in Giselle, mostly because I didn’t understand it, and I was mostly drawn towards ballets which were easier to comprehend. But wow! Thank you guys so much for this breakdown. What an impactful story-I found myself wanting to cry multiple times. I’m not going to skip over this ballet ever again ❤

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Aaaaaa we absolutely love hearing this! You’re so welcome. So glad we could help you understand and connect with this beautiful ballet. So beautiful… definitely recommend tissues 😭 💕💕

@charc3345 Жыл бұрын

@@balletreign 💖💖💖

@alexliu5595 Жыл бұрын

At the Paris Opera, you can see the original Giselle: choreography, outfits, music, they changed nothing from the original set. That's pretty interesting to watch! But France is very snob and they don't understand that people can now have difficulty to stand there and watch pantomime for half an hour. My dance teacher told me the other day that we should have two versions: the original one for people who want to dive in XIXth century ballet but a more modern one for newcomers. With more dancing, less pantomime, new costumes, new set... I quite agree haha. I think there's a lot to do with Giselle, the music being so memorable and the story so important. I love that Giselle has to do with forgiveness and letting go of anger. In the second act, she could totally avenge herself and join the Willis in anger and vengeance, but she choose to forgive, better still save Albrecht and that's what makes the story so moving. By forgiving, Giselle also saves her soul and can move on. This is such a cool story!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you for bringing up such great points. Giselle's forgiveness in Act 2 always tears us up! You're absolutely right in your thoughts about Giselle's forgiveness not only for Albrecht, but for herself. "By forgiving, Giselle also saves her soul and can move on"... couldn't have said it better

@etherealtb6021 Жыл бұрын

I took my friend to see the Marinsky do La Bayadere a few years ago. After the first half hour, I was like, "Did I drag my friend to see a pantomime or ballet"? 🤣 Thankfully the real dancing started after that!

@seminkovabulka 8 ай бұрын

Sorry, but the bit about POB is simply NOT true. There is nothing like "the original Giselle", sadly (from historical point of view the best productions are probably one by Mary Skeaping roughly from 1950s/1960s or by Alexei Ratmansky, but none can claim being 100% "the 1841 original") - the ballet has been changed and tweaked many times even before Petipa came to the picture and at POB the last production was done in 1860's and then there was no Giselle for more than 50 years. It was Les Ballets Russes that brought Giselle back home and then in 1920's Nikolai Sergeyev made new production (mainly influenced by Petipa) for POB. Nowadays, POB perform Giselle's production by Patrice Bart and Eugene Polyakov from 1990's. The set and costumes are based on designs of Alexandre Benois, one of the costumes designers of Les Ballets Russes, who made the set and costumes design for the POB 1920's production mentioned above. And for the mime - a) there is no "half an hour of pantomime" in ANY present production of Giselle, they barely do the Berthe scene (miming the story about the willis) and if so, it is often shorten (they DO have the full scale version at POB though); and b) mime scenes are essential for romantic ballets. That's just how it is. Look at La Sylphide, especially the Danish Bournonville version, there you can clearly see what the mime was all about and how much time and space it truly covered back in 1830s - 1860s. It is true that even the 1st act of Giselle back in 1841 consisted of roughly 50 % mime and 50 % dance. That has changed through the years, clearly. I'm not saying you can't do a contemporary Giselle (look at Akram Khan), where you can leave all the mime scenes out and tell the story differently. But if we are talking romantic ballet, we are talking dancing and mime together. It has nothing to do with French being snobish. (Maybe with my dance historian arse being snobish.) I appologize for the info dump, but one cannot graduate university with two thesis dealing with Giselle and then just sit there doing nothing with their knowledge. So if I am as obnoxious and insufferable as I think I am... sorry? Oh, and one stupid little point - the horn Hilarion blows in act I does not come from Albert, but prince of Courland, Bathilde's father, who hang it up by Giselle's cottage and told the hunting party specifically to blow it, if he is needed back. Also fun fact - in Gauthier's review of the opening night (which he addresses to Heinrich Heine you mentioned in the video as one of the sources for the story and plot), he wrote this detail when describing Hilarions death in act II. Myrtha tells the willis to push Hilarion into the forrest lake saying: fish will feast on your eyes! Which is a picture I love and it also cleary shows the wilis see Hilarion as the one responsible for Giselle's death (or at least as important catalyst), because were he not a jelous bastard (and back in 1841 there was no questioning that he indeed was) looking where he had no bussines looking, maybe Giselle would be just fine... Or maybe not and Myrtha was just extra bloodthirsty.

@carolsabadini2332 Ай бұрын

@@seminkovabulkaMy husband has seen Giselle with me many times. He always says he feels sorry for Hilarion, "because he did nothing wrong." So I explain to him that to be betrayed and heartbroken in private is one thing, but to have one's pain exposed for everyone to see--Terrible! THAT was what Hilarion was guilty of. He just HAD to be right and wanted everyone to know it.

@irenekokoula5705 Жыл бұрын

I think this should be a series! Both the swan lake and giselle videos are super informative and a pleasure to watch 💗 maybe do don quixote next? 🙏

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching, glad you are enjoying the “series” :) We do hope to occasionally watch and share some of our fave ballets with you all ❤️ Will make a note of Don Quixote!

@annakathryncarter9815 20 сағат бұрын

I love Giselle and the classic version so much! A few years back, I was able to watch Akram Khan's version and it was just amazing. It reframes the story as garment factory workers and the Landlords and incorporates a lot of South Asian sounds with the music, but its just gorgeous and the Wilis are absolutely terrifying in their entrance. It's also just beautifully danced and manages to showcase elements of the original steps in multiple areas. Would definitely recommend watching if you get the chance. I tear up almost every time I watch the ending of Act I. It's on Marquee TV and they also sell DVDs of the original cast performance.

@CheyenneSedai Жыл бұрын

Also, I was thinking about this earlier since I'm a literature student, I'd love it if you did an insight video on Don Quixote, and talked about the similarities and differences to the book as well as what you normally do.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Ahh yes! Don Q is such a fun comedic ballet to see and to perform. A classic lol

@T_WC123 Жыл бұрын

I second this!! :)

@avesraggiana Жыл бұрын

I’ll tell you this right now - the Don Quixote ballet, as choreographed by Petipa and later, Alexander Gorsky, is only tangentially related to Cervantes’ novel. George Balanchine choreographed his own version of Don Quixote, to different music, and set it on his muse, Suzanne Farrell. It hasn’t been performed in decades, and I’ve never seen it. But I do wonder if it’s closer to the Cervantes than Petipa’s version.

@SzymChannel Жыл бұрын

I was just about to write the same thing. Please do Don Q! It will be performed in my local theatre soon and I'd love to know more about it before I go see it.

@curzonproduct Жыл бұрын

So glad you showed Natalia in the act 1 solo. The best! Those pique turns!!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Happy to have any excuse to show Natalia, she really is one of the best- yes love those pique turns! 🩰😊

@andynonymous6769 3 ай бұрын

She did the best madness dance in my opinion too. When she accidentally runs into the noble lady and transitions her bow into a faint, that's my favourite part

@markbeck8384 Жыл бұрын

Good review. This is a ballet I have seen a lot. To me, it's the one that ALWAYS works. The story is a tearjerker, short, and has Variety. The music, like in Coppelia, is absolutely clear & describes what is going on. The sense of relief, love, and forgiveness at the end is an incredible Finale; ( stronger than the usual wedding or celebration.)

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Absolutely agree love this ballet for that quality as it has so much more depth and emotional range which is so fulfilling for both audience and dancers.

@T_WC123 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant!!! You guys make ballet feel so accessible and interesting with how well you understand/explain it. And so hilarious! 🤣 you guys are truly gifted at this!! Thank you for another beautiful (the editing - wow!) and fascinating video! I can’t wait to see Giselle now - and good to know I’ll need Kleenex! 😭💗

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Love this!! You’re so welcome ♥️ Thank you for such kind words, glad you are enjoying the videos! Enjoy the live ballet Giselle- Kleenex is an absolute must 😂

@T_WC123 Жыл бұрын

I saw Giselle in San Francisco tonight and I’m obsessed!! It was gorgeous and appreciated it so much more bc of this video and I’m so happy that I ended up at your channel to inspire this love of ballet. Thank you!!!

@bernadetteballerina9358 Жыл бұрын

ABT with Baryshnikov in Giselle was my favorite performance of Giselle. He has an amazing entrance in Act II which took the audience’s breath away… then his leaps and turns along with his Russian portrayal of Albrecht was amazing!!!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Baryshnikov was an absolute legend ✨🙌🏻

@micheledix2616 Жыл бұрын

What so many modern ballet watchers forget is that Giselle is most definitely a Regency style story so well done ladies ❤❤

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Glad to share this with you all 💕

@fireflower132 11 күн бұрын

Giselle act 1 is one of my fave variations;) This really helped me understand her so much better, tksm for this! I loved it;) do more of these videos pls?

@lavandeyracaro 11 ай бұрын

Giselle was the first ballet I saw as a child. Even the second act is my favorite ballet. Myrtha's role is also difficult although short. Willis's grand pas a challenge for the corps de ballet.

@balletreign 11 ай бұрын

Really? 🥹 No wonder, Giselle is such a beautiful piece, second act is phenomenal ✨✨ thanks for sharing! 😄

@JB-my8ys Жыл бұрын

I was watching Barbie and the Pink shoes with my daughter this weekend and have never seen Giselle, but they use it and I wanted to know more. Thanks for the great breakdown. I am definitely going to see this one when my local ballet company does it. So beautiful

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

So cool! Thank you for watching and glad you enjoyed this video 😊 Yes, you must watch Giselle live at your local ballet! 🩰

@arualblues_zero Жыл бұрын

Thank you! This was one of my favorite ballets from childhood, although I always argued with my mom that he did not deserve to be forgiven. Maybe my unpopular opinion, but my favorite part was actually Giselle's madness at the end of Act 1, so full of drama and heartbreak.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome, happy to hear this is one of your favorite ballets ❤️ You’re not alone in the mad scene being a favorite, it really is so beautifully portrayed and relatable to so many. Agree with you, he really didn’t deserve to be forgiven when you look at it. Forgiveness and the act of granting pardon to those who are undeserving of it is such a hard concept to practice (or offer to others) or to receive for yourself. So much in this topic and glad that you and your mom can openly discuss it 😊

@arualblues_zero Жыл бұрын

@@balletreign Oh for sure! Mind you, I was a child and children tend to be very black-or-white for things sometimes. I certainly didn't have a lot of nuance to approach forgiveness and redemption as concepts back then. Mad scene still a favorite, though! ❤

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Yes, definitely so true for children, and even hard for adults to understand sometimes. That’s really insightful. Thanks for sharing your fave scene in the ballet 😊

@oceanelf2512 Жыл бұрын

I actually dislike the jealous dude who was after Giselle, and she did not reciprocate. If he hadn't butted in, things would've ended differently.

@arualblues_zero Жыл бұрын

@@oceanelf2512 Perhaps his motivation was protective of Giselle, maybe not. In any case, no happy ending for her. The true "villain" is Albrecht in act 1.

@leoswift6938 Жыл бұрын

Can’t wait for the next one! Hopefully The Nutcracker (my favorite ballet of all time)

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Yes, thanks for watching! What is ballet without the Nutcracker LOL Stay tuned for that one

@AurelUrban 18 күн бұрын

I only ever saw the 1956 version with Galina Ulanova (though I've watched it many many times) and it's crazy how much more stuff there is in the current version :D I will definitely have to watch a current production of Giselle now

@letlotlosibanda 4 ай бұрын

Giselle Act II is my most favourite white act in all of ballet. The GPDD at the end with the last adage that Giselle dances? Tear jerking. My most favourite casting is the Royal Ballet with Natalia Osipova dancing Giselle and Marianela Nunez dancing Myrtha.

@Smiley-hz3xt 3 ай бұрын

Im so glad i got to dance this ballet, even though it was a minor role i was glad and it has a softspot since it was the first ballet i did!

@charisse2372 3 ай бұрын

i remember first watching giselle as an elementry school student like around 9 years old? dang i rmb BAWLING my eyes out watching this balelt not even fully understanding the entire plot but my heart was broken. so so beautiful. giselle + romeo and juliet are certainly one of my top faves. how can i miss coppelia and sleeping beauty

@MagsRose887 Жыл бұрын

I was invited to my FIRST EVER ballet at the last minute and saw Giselle last night. I watched this video three times this week so I could fully understand and enjoy it, and I’m so glad I did! I was able to truly appreciate the artistry and performances without being distracted by a story I didn’t understand, and it has ignited a new love of classical ballet. I hope to see more shows soon… provided you already have a video I can watch first! :) Great video, and thank you for making it so a total newcomer could go to the ballet and fall in love with it. ❤

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Love! THIS made our day!! 🥰 So happy we could help make sense of the storyline and you were able to fully enjoy the show. Hahah Yes, we hope to share more ballets with you all. Glad to have you here! :)

@awesomesauce23 5 ай бұрын

I'm currently in a production of Giselle, and. seeing this deep plot breakdown really helped me understand the nuances of choreography and acting to add during the rehearsal process. This ballet is very technically hard for everyone, both the corps de ballet and the principal roles, and the emotional toll it takes make it even more difficult! From every production I've seen online, it is always breathtaking, and I can't wait to perform it!

@RomeoNJulietLostTheGame 11 ай бұрын

This is my favorite series ❤ Please make more Story Behind the Ballet episodes, perhaps Firebird?!

@balletreign 11 ай бұрын

Don’t have to ask us twice! We love the Firebird 🔥🔥🔥. Glad u enjoy these!

@RomeoNJulietLostTheGame 11 ай бұрын

@@balletreign Hoooooooooraaaaaay!!! Thank you!!!

@user-hi4rq6qk4m 10 ай бұрын

La bayedere next please

@peterlblystone2326 Жыл бұрын

An excellent introduction to one of the most beautiful dance works ever conceived. The story of its creation is interesting in its own right, and the description of the action is nothing less than delightful. The one thing I wish they'd mentioned , though, was how, in the original conception, Bathilde (and her father, I guess) make an appearance at the very end, when Albrecht is more dead than alive after the dancing that he'd been forced to do, and Giselle, who has not yet returned to her grave, puts their hands together as a way of saying that though Albrecht has lost her, he still has his betrothed, who has shown herself in Act I to be a good person. I know it's never done that way nowadays, but it would certainly provide a degree of "closure." Either way, the unselfishness of Giselle's love is generally enough to save her from continuing to be a Wili.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Appreciate your thoughts on this. That is an interesting conception and would be cool if Bathilde makes a second appearance in a production one day. Thanks for sharing!

@peterlblystone2326 Жыл бұрын

@@balletreign Thank you for your response. As you probably know, there are a few other interesting departures from the original plan; the ones that I'm about to mention all occur in Act II. As originally performed: 1) The act begins with an entire hunting party, not just Hilarion, taking a rest near Giselle's grave, and all of them hightail it away from there once midnight strikes. 2) After Giselle is summoned from her grave, a group of young peasant men cross the stage on their way to another village, and the Wilis take off after them, thereby clearing the stage for Albrecht's entry. 3) When Albrecht later takes refuge from the Wilis at Giselle's tomb, with its cross, the Wilis try several times to close in on him, to the accompaniment of a Bach-like fugue, but they are hurled back by a power stronger than their own (Good versus Evil!), after which Myrthe orders Giselle to entice Albrecht away from the protecting cross, in the famous pas de deux. How I'd love to see a production in which all these variations were observed!

@feliciacoffey6832 Жыл бұрын

@@peterlblystone2326 I would love to see those meaningful moments in the ballet as well.

@seminkovabulka 8 ай бұрын

@@peterlblystone2326 Mary Skeaping and Alexei Ratmansky both had 1 and 3 (and let me tell you I love the fugue with a passion), but I have yet to see a production with the 2. Even though the scene makes so much sense! Because if the first peasants manage to escape, then the wilis would be FURIOUS and would tear Hilarion, who is coming next, to absolute pieces. (And tear him they did!)

@westernmasswonderwoman3326 2 ай бұрын

I just discovered you ladies and wow, you are wonderful! Your knowledge and insight is so impressive and you have such great on-screen presence. I've learned more about ballet history in two videos from you than I did in ballet class as a kid. Subscribed!!

@balletreign 2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! We’re glad to have you here

@pocketballetbcn9807 Ай бұрын

wonderful video!

@hannabergmann8831 2 ай бұрын

I knew the story, but your description is heartbreaking. I also liked Makarovas description of Giselle. She said that the first Act is about human love, and the second Act is about the love of the soul.

@balletreign 2 ай бұрын

The story always wrecks us 💔😭 Glad you enjoyed this video, and thanks for sharing your thoughts ✨🫰🏻

@RC2214 5 ай бұрын

As you were describing the WILLIS SPIRITS I got emotional, what a beautiful story. I am not a ballet dancer but a jazz dancer, but I have loved the artistry and strength ballet shows and bringing it all together in story is all the more spectacular. I am grateful for the Narration

@EvilSnips 4 ай бұрын

I LOVE this series!!! I'm actually glad that that one ballerina created the peasant pas de deux because there's hardly any other solos! So interesting to learn! OMG I cannot watch Giselle without crying, it's my dream role!

@easternredbud Жыл бұрын

Just went to my second ever ballet, Giselle at the SF Opera House! Wonderful.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

So jealous! 🤩 They have some beautiful dancers, hope you enjoyed the performance!

@laurabaumholistichealthbus4217 3 ай бұрын

Great job!!!!

@balletreign 3 ай бұрын

Thank you sm ❤️

@mariancastillavaldez5333 Жыл бұрын

More ballet explanations PLEASEEE i LOVE thiiis, all the analysis of the music, pantomime… ❤️❤️❤️

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Aww so glad you love this series!! More to come 😉😉

@rubyangel9707 5 ай бұрын

I was so lucky to have seen this locally produced in my city last year after religiously watching the Royal Ballet Performance. It was hauntingly beautiful and genuinely mesmerizing.

@amwelty Жыл бұрын

Thank you, you make ballet so accessible for those who want to learn!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

You're so welcome! Glad to have you here! 😊

@dronesclubhighjinks Жыл бұрын

Oh, it's such a sad story! I do want to see it now, and btw I have the Kirov version of "Swan Lake" in my "watch later" playlist! This is another superb explanation of the historical context, the background of the story, and how the ballet unfolds. I appreciate how you mention the changes in music and the props, and what they represent. It really helps to reinforce your explanation of the story. When you said the first and second acts are like two different ballets, it reminded me of Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale" from the Royal Ballet. I find ballet to be by far the most enjoyable medium for Shakespeare. I have trouble with all the archaic language, but the emotions, actions, and music are pretty clearly conveyed by the dancers. I suspect the actions are easier to understand in a Shakespearean ballet because the source material has a plot and dialogue. I mean, it can't get away with vague, ethereal concepts like many ballet-only stories seem to have like "he is yearning for love while desiring his father's approval and the conflict is tearing him apart." That is the type of thing you are so good at explaining. The "dancing till I literally die" concept is very interesting psychologically. I believe it is also in "The Rite of Spring" and "The Red Shoes." ?? Maybe the dancers who thought of this feel like sometimes they wish they did not have this passion, and/or their passion is so all-consuming that dancing = life and it's out of control? Do other dancers feel like this too? I don't want to get personal, but you might have an idea if this is normal, somewhat unusual, or completely batcrap nutty amongst all the dancers you have ever met in your life. It's a subject which is probably worthy of a PhD thesis! Re "les Wilis": in the TV show "Dance Academy," Kat's unconventional, self-absorbed mom, who is also the principal ballerina of the Australian National Ballet, is named Natasha Willis. Coincidence? In addition to explaining things really well, your videos are just fun to watch. Your edits are so witty eg. At 00:31 "We're doing a deep dive" and then you have scuba gear on. At 1:34 when you had help spelling and pronouncing "Theophile Gautier." 😂 It's something I've only commented on one other channel, and that had a different colour scheme, but your background aesthetic and choice of clothing is lovely. The varying shades of ivory, cream, pearl, beige and warm grey with a hint of greenery is soothing and pleasant to look at. I think yours is the only white-ish coloured microphone I have ever seen, and the what might be metal (?) band looks golden and not a dark colour, which would be a little jarring. (See 03:55 for example of another great aesthetic kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ld9xeZVivpqqpGQ.html ) The background combined with your voices, your title cards, and background music are also lovely, and they all fit so well together! Finally, you both have absolutely gorgeous hair - And a sense of humour, which might be even better! Thank you very much for this video and I'm looking forward to more!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful feedback! ♥️ So happy to hear you enjoyed it, thank you for watching Ballet has always been a passion and choice for us and never been all-consuming or out of control- at least we work hard to keep it from being so :). It’s definitely a balance and having a right perspective to not let it become master over your life. It’s a state of heart to keep any one thing, person, or passion from taking over your life. We imagine it’s not always the case for some, but believe that there is a way to enjoy the art without it sucking life from you? This is a great topic for discussion! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights, always glad to have positive input. 🤍 Yes, Giselle is a must watch if you have a chance to see it live, bring tissue! 😅

@istftlats Ай бұрын

Brilliant both of you. Thankyou. Sharing your love and knowledge of ballett, your humour and your insights that explain so much, with such charm and charisma..The notes explaining the motifs..rock!

@RetroMinnie87 26 күн бұрын

This is my favorite full length ballet. It’s so dramatic!! I love it! And the part where the Willis are all hopping in arabesque across the stage is so visually stunning. I love it! And the part in the pas de deux where Gisselle leans on Albrecht in arabesque and he is on his knee. ❤ So good!

@violetbunches5438 Жыл бұрын

Great work as always ladies, I think these might be my favorite videos on KZfaq ever! Thank you for your deep dives and sharing your passion.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you!! That’s a huge compliment and we don’t take that lightly ♥️ Glad to be able to share our passion with you all! 😊🩰

@alenkapintar8660 5 ай бұрын

Very informative. My favorite ballet ever. The 2. act is pure perfection (music and variations).

@balletreign 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! Couldn't agree more :)

@deborahmarr2210 Жыл бұрын

Bravo. Interesting information, charmingly delivered. A winner.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it! ❤️❤️

@beatrizaleixo4837 5 ай бұрын

I cried many times just watching this video, imagine if I saw this ballet in real life... Thank you 🤍

@balletreign 5 ай бұрын

Aww 🥹🥹

@vivianevans8323 11 ай бұрын

Firstly - somehow your channel turned up on my homepage: so I kept watching. Your cheerfulness never fails to make me smile - so yeah, I'm now a subscriber. As for Giselle: many thanks for this deep dive, i learned so many new things! I've loved this ballet since like forever, the more i watch it the more I love it. It's the only ballet where I shamelessly cry, especially when I can see Natalia dance the role: tears are simply inevitable ... Thanks for this and for your channel (And no, I'm not a ballet dancer ... wish I had been able to ...)

@balletreign 11 ай бұрын

Omg this is such a sweet comment!! Welcome to the Ballet Nerd Club, we’re so glad you joined us 🥹. Thanks for watching, we hope u continue to enjoy 💕💕

@tammygermiller8307 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this great breakdown. I am going to see the ABT version of Giselle in a few weeks. I am even more excited now! Enjoy your videos . 👍🏻👍🏻

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

You're so welcome! 🤍 What city will they be in? On tour? Hopefully this video helps broaden your appreciation for this ballet. Nothing like seeing it live with understanding 😊 Come back and tell us your experience!

@tammygermiller8307 Жыл бұрын

Durham NC. I think your video will definitely Inhaber my appreciation. I will definitely share how it went.

@T_WC123 Жыл бұрын

I totally agree Tammy - I felt lucky just to see a famous ballet but after watching this video, I’m now so excited to see Giselle!

@tammygermiller8307 Жыл бұрын

@@balletreign you asked for my review of Giselle by the ABT… It was fabulous!!! Your breakdown really helped me to understand all the little nuances, so thank you. It was beautiful, sweet and whisky. The corp was more than background, they were so integral to the story. I loved it. ❤️❤️❤️

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

YAY so great to hear your review of ABTs Giselle! Those are great observations of the performance. We’re so glad we could help enhance your experience. Glad to have you here ❤️❤️

@eri4655 Жыл бұрын

Great video and explanation of the motifs and bringing the musical meaning to life. I always loved the vibes and aesthetic off the willis.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the video. The music in Giselle is a masterpiece. Yes, Act II with the Wilis is absolutely stunning. 😊

@Happysewist 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for telling the ballet stories so beautifully. I love ballet and wanted with all my heart to dance when I was small (I am 70 now). My parents chose piano lessons for me and although I am thankful for those (endless!) lessons I still wish to this day that I could have danced. You two with your thorough knowledge help so much to love and appreciate the ethereal art of ballet. Thank you! ❤

@balletreign 6 ай бұрын

Aww thank u so much! We’re so glad to share our passion with u. We do love the piano tho, such a fabulous instrument ✨✨

@Happysewist 4 ай бұрын

❤

@dorotaszupina6862 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for bringing ballet to the 'masses', your wit😂 and your charm are so refreshing. Waiting for more❤

@CheyenneSedai Жыл бұрын

Wow. I didn't know a lot about Giselle to be honest, I'm so glad I could learn with you.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Awww we’re so glad you learned something new! What’s your favorite part of the ballet?

@CheyenneSedai Жыл бұрын

@@balletreign From what you said, I think that madness scene is really powerful and very well done.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Yes! The mad scene is so pivotal and such an emotional climax to the ballet 😭

@Arohanui128 Жыл бұрын

Im a ballet grandma who has loved Giselle for over 50 years. Your review moment by moment, motifs and history is wonderful to develop audience understanding and appreciation. Nureyev still is my favorite Albrecht because of his dramatic and passionate performance. My favorites Giselle currently are Natalia osipova and Marianela Núñez (although she is an eerie Myrtha too). As productions go I’m in love with the fresh approach of the Danish Opera ballet. Loving your channel!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!! Glad to have another Giselle fan here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this 👍🏻💕

@carolsabadini2332 Ай бұрын

I really didn't care for the Danish production. Perhaps I just didn't understand it. Giselle in the Danish Act 1 looked like Cinderella, in her shabby gray dress. The nobles' costumes were a little bizarre, too. I didn't think the acting was as good as in other productions I've seen. Even the dancing wasn't as good, though I can't really criticize, since I could never dance myself.

@GrannysGarden 4 ай бұрын

Beautifully told!

@balletreign 4 ай бұрын

Thank you! ❤️

@hamletschild 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the unpacking. Did I start crying at the final scene…yes. Yes I did. It is such a beautifully heartbreaking ballet.

@Witfrenci Жыл бұрын

I love this ballet so so much Giselle was the first ballet I perform as young dancer I still know the choreography by heart of every single dancers I’ve watched every rehearsal and I’m so much in love with this piece you portrayed Giselle in a very beautiful way bravo ❤❤❤ please continue doing this kind of video an idea for the next one could be sleeping beauty…:) Love you.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Welcome! Thanks for watching and sharing your experience with Giselle 😊 Absolutely, once you’ve learned choreography to a musical score in a ballet it is so hard to forget!

@karensantos5421 5 ай бұрын

You two have a way with words, I was crying periodically throughout the story 😭

@JB-my8ys Жыл бұрын

Also is this where he loves me, he loves me not originated?! Mind blown. I also love old adventure games and there are fairies that will make you dance till you die if you walk into their circle. And I now understand the expression to get the Willies, or that gives me the Willies. I'm learning so much 😂

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Welcome, glad to have you here! ❤️Yes, there is so much in this ballet, happy you are learning! Thanks for watching and supporting the channel 😊

@oxoelfoxo Жыл бұрын

i'm pretty sure using petals for determining if someone loves you already existed before Giselle :-)

@Linus644 Жыл бұрын

Oh my godd your videos are amazinggg, you guys deserve so much recognition

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you, thank you!! We hope our videos are adding value (and smiles :) to your lives 😊❤️

@annaiuga Жыл бұрын

Very beautifull explanation!! I love Giselle and I have seen it noumerous times but it makes me so emotional every time. Thank you!!!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching with us! Yes, this ballet takes us through a range of emotions in the love story and the forgiveness at the end is truly remarkable and gets us every time 🥲

@hatsunemikuchannel2023 Ай бұрын

16:02-17:00-19:56-20:10-28:00-31:09: This is my favorite part of the hole ballet! 😯😯😊😊

@miriam8376 6 ай бұрын

This made me tear up at the end, it was so brilliant. I love these explanations of full ballets because they make the stories much more accessible. I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this ballet in any meaningful way without this video. Thank you.

@balletreign 6 ай бұрын

Aww thank u 🥹🥹 glad we could make this ballet more accessible to u!

@macstabby_j 5 ай бұрын

I'm rewatching Giselle by the Royal Danish ballet and the insights you give in the mime helps the story really come through. It's so much more moving, that I'm near tears at the end of the mad scene. Thank you! (Not for the tears, for the info)

@martinfitzgerald6705 Жыл бұрын

Some productions of Giselle end with Giselle slowly descending back down into her grave which is much more effective dramatically than Giselle simply drifting off stage at the conclusion of the ballet. Any thoughts ?

@markbeck8384 Жыл бұрын

i like the descending into the grave especially, because she drifts earlier.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Yes, our thoughts too. Descending into the grave is absolutely more chilling in a beautiful way. A much more breathtaking and impactful ending!

@tarantellalarouge7632 11 ай бұрын

some theaters are equipped with such a hatch in the stage's floor, and some are not, I think that it makes the difference ! It is much more thrilling, the Willis are some sorts of vampires (Théophile Gautier was a romantic author and poet at the beginning of those spooky influences).

@simplyericaamaro 5 ай бұрын

Beautifully done, ladies! My favorite ballet ever. ❤

@mariellouise1 5 ай бұрын

Well done!! Now I love Giselle, where is my hankie😂. The ballet is truly lovely and dramatic. The imagery and choreography of the Willies really impressed me in the portrayal of these ghostly maidens.

@flobrodley5761 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Ms. Kaye for an excellent description of this singular ballet, using important historical figures and excerpts of the ballet to illustrate the story line. Those new to this ballet will have a clear understanding of what they are about to witness. Kudos!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Such nice words to hear 🥰. Glad you enjoyed this video!! ✨

@magdazul5543 Жыл бұрын

Omg i love this kind of video, i never remember the history of the ballets haha

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much and welcome! Glad you are enjoying the videos and learning with us. Ballet is such a rich craft with so much history and so much about it to enjoy :)

@classicalaid1 5 ай бұрын

The finest Giselle I have ever seen online features Svetlana Zakarova and Roberto Bolle in a La Scala production. I can't praise the star performers as well as the corps de ballet enough. Nothing compares to this stellar version.

@irenesamaniego3966 Жыл бұрын

So beautiful and easy going insight you guys made ❤ thank you so much for bringin us this videos, I’ll love to see more complete insights of other ballet productions 🤩

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you sm!! We will def bring y’all more of these complete ballet analysis videos in the future ✨💕

@tbella57 Жыл бұрын

This is so good!! I hope you do more ballets. I love this channel…great job! 😊

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Yay, thank you so much! Appreciate you watching, we are glad you are here. Hope to share more ballet with you all! 😊

@pauloalmeida3243 11 ай бұрын

My compliments on your presentation & insights. I always say that Giselle is my favorite ballet unless I am watching another ballet. Part of the reason is my preference for Ecole Francais choreography & partly for the transformative quality of forgiving betrayal. Two interpretations I could add to your fine work: 1. Myrta allows Giselle to delay until dawn Albrecht's dance of death because Myrta is moved by Giselle's pleas but, as Queen, Myrta can't show sympathy... another reason for Myrta's bitterness, which is her own self-punishment; and 2. Albrecht is punished because he has lost the uniquely forgiving Giselle & Bathilde knows this. I have a friend who loves ballet but hates Giselle because she says Albrecht gets away with his crime, but I see Albrecht condemned to marry Bathilde, who is rich and beautiful, but no fool. Whenever Albrecht complains that the dishwasher needs to be emptied, Bathilde can respond: Too bad that you don't have that peasant girl around to pick up your socks. Keep up the good work of explaining ballet to new audiences. Reverence

@balletreign 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for your additions! The first one is exactly how we envision Myrtha’s character. The part about the dishes and socks made us laugh. We’re glad u enjoyed the video, thanks so much!! 😁😁✨

@seminkovabulka 8 ай бұрын

While I cannot agree with your vision of Myrtha (she is and was always ment to be RUTHLESS), I agree 100% on Albert. I know many people hating the story for exactly the points you mentioned, but Albert A) has to go on and live without his one true love and B) has to live with the knowledge HE is responsible for her dying. (The fact the first productions even clearly showed he is still going to marry his intended is just cherry on top of this rotten cake.) (And lets not forget it is not all fun and games for Bathilde either... Especially if we talk about the original Bathilde, who was genuinely heartbroken by the events at the end of act one and felt for Giselle quite a lot.) And from now on I won't be able to think about Albert and Bathilde's married life without the dishwasher talk :D So thanks for that one!

@christinekim1223 7 ай бұрын

Alina Cojucaru is my favorite Giselle. Her dancing is beautiful and looks effortless and you can feel her heartbreak in the mad scene. Simply divine to watch her perform!

@Ava_ballet8 8 ай бұрын

I'm not joking I've watched this six times while sewing pointe shoes... You guys should do Laurencia next!!

@balletreign 8 ай бұрын

Haha we’re so glad to hear that! 😂😂. Would love to cover laurencia in another vid ✨

@meganknipe4393 4 ай бұрын

I’m bawling!! And I’ve seen this ballet so many times. I’m such a pansy.

@TheALLYISLAME Жыл бұрын

i love these ballet nerd videos!!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Welcome and thank you! Glad you enjoyed these videos 😊

@jessicaisabelalvarezcueva5105 4 ай бұрын

Great video. Thanks guys for the emotional engagement in telling the story!!! ❤ i loved it

@nalurodriigues 3 ай бұрын

I absolutely love A Dead Woman In Love and didn't have idea it was the same writer of Giselle lmao thank you very much for the very informative content! 💕

@Anachronismgorl Жыл бұрын

Welp I’m a ballet fan now. Thanks. In all seriousness though great breakdown I definitely want to learn more about ballet now.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

YAY welcome! Glad ur here :) We're so glad this inspired you to learn more about classical ballet. Hope you'll stick around for more

@carlasteenkamp3747 5 ай бұрын

Well done!! You are both brilliant and very entertaining as well as informative! Good luck! Make more please! xx Love from MYBallet uk

@NV1493-dg4vg 8 ай бұрын

This is so interesting, thank you! I really like your explanations about the choreography and music's links, and the choreography's construction. It's nice to learn new things about these iconic ballets. And I really like that you explain the context and history about the creation. Thanks! I would absolutely love videos about Le Corsaire (the story is so complicated with all these characters!), La Bayadère (and the different endings with/without the 4th act), The Nutcracker (it seems to me that it's never the same ballet! So many productions and versions of this one!) or less known ballets too.

@balletreign 8 ай бұрын

So glad u enjoyed found this helpful! We appreciate ur positive feedback. We would love to do more of these in the future, so def stay tuned 😁😁

@absurdartist6346 11 ай бұрын

I had a book on tape when I was 5 that had several different ballets in it and Giselle was always my favorite. it didn’t shy away from the dark elements either.

@lucianaleiva518 Жыл бұрын

I don't know what is it but I it makes me cry, maybe it's because it was the first ballet I watched. It always gets me 🤧

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching with us, yes, glad we are not the only ones- definitely a sad but beautiful ballet ♥️

@1087jess Жыл бұрын

One of my absolutely favourite ballet! I wonder who’s your favourite Giselle? I thought Alessandra Ferri for La Scala was perfection! If you haven’t seen it, give it a go ❤️

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Yes, the character Giselle leaves so much room for a dancer’s interpretation and it’s wonderful to see what each ballerina brings to the table- although Osipova has a wonderful interpretation of the role. Will check out Ferri in that role, thank you! 🩰

@uppereast74 Жыл бұрын

Alessandra Ferri was on the greatest Giselle's. There are excerpts of her dancing Giselle with Mikhail Baryshnikov in the film Dancers. The clips can be found on KZfaq. The late Carla Fracci excelled in Romantic roles. There is a full length rather over the top production of Giselle by ABT in the 60's with Fracci dancing Giselle and the Danish dancer Erik Bruhn as Albrecht.

@heidedziardziel1428 6 ай бұрын

great performance and a great explaination. Want more

@andadance7 Жыл бұрын

This was SUCH an informative video!!! This is the first I’ve seen your channel and I’m obsessed! Thank you for all the little details you’ve added and the hard work in this video!! Bravo!!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Welcome to the channel and thank u so much!! We’re glad to have u here 😁😁✨

@voyaristika5673 Жыл бұрын

Love classical ballet, never a dancer. I can't pull myself away from your channel. You're the best I've seen in that everything you cover is so engrossing. I wish my granddaughter was still young instead of grown and on her own. She'd love watching your channel with me. Thank you! ❤

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

This is the sweetest comment! Thank u! Non-dancers are always welcome here 💕. Glad you’re enjoying our channel ☺️☺️

@BeatricerIVA-lm3vp Жыл бұрын

Bellissimo!😍❤🩰Grazie, perfetto, pieno di dettagli interessanti e fatto benissimo ! Grazie per aver messo un frammento dell' Osipova, per me è la migliore! Grazie (condividerei il video se non fosse che alle mie quattro amiche non interessa niente della danza classica) ! Grazie!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

You’re so elcome! Glad to have you here 🤍🤍Thank you for your kind comments and sharing !😊

@oceanelf2512 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for helping to make sense of this ballet. That Giselle was physically frail makes all the difference. And I took one of these online quizzes "Which ballet character are you?" and the result was Giselle. Also, the ballet school I work for is performing Giselle this spring.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

You’re so welcome! So glad you have a new understanding of this amazing ballet. Gisele is so amicable, sweet, gracious and such an endearing character! Best of luck to the school on their upcoming performance 👍🏻❤️

@oceanelf2512 Жыл бұрын

@@balletreign Thank you! I really appreciate this, and so will anyone I mention this to next time I go in for work. I agree, Giselle lives up to her name with all the traits you mentioned. I also think that she did not want to make anyone dance to death is great.

@seaofglass77 Жыл бұрын

I'm dancing this in a community show in a couple of months. Sometimes I wish I were a spirit that never tired, that act two is long!

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Yay! Thanks so great to hear, so exciting for you to dance this ballet. Yes, don’t we dancers all wish we can never tire- at least you are not alone in Act 2 :) All the best and let us know how your show goes! ❤️

@devilskiss1 5 ай бұрын

27:00 also descending notes are used to mimic criyng in almost everything, every sad cry song has that part were they start with a note, go lower and then a little bit highter. It literally mimics trough music the sounds we make wile criyng

@DayneandtheStars 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for the video, girls! It was lovely! The second act was incredible! I never paid much attention to Giselle, but you two made me really interested in it. This video enriched my life. And you are both so charming and fun to watch. The both have a very natural presence on camera (very rare talent)

@balletreign 7 ай бұрын

Thank u sm for this! It’s such a beautiful story and we’re glad u enjoyed the journey ✨

@skywalker6763 8 ай бұрын

You guys made me cry, and I think I needed it. Thanks

@balletreign 7 ай бұрын

Aww! 🥲🥲 thanks for watching 😆😆

@user-se8sy8ex6l 5 ай бұрын

I need more of this 😍

@valerina01 Жыл бұрын

That was amazing! 👏👏👏 You two are the best! 😊❤

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

Thank you!! ❤️ Glad you enjoyed the video 😀

@VieReno 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the elaborated explanations. It's easy for understand.

@balletreign 7 ай бұрын

Thank you!! So glad it was helpful ✨✨

@susanpaul4752 Жыл бұрын

My favorite moment is in Act 2...the super slow devlope a la second done by Giselle, then a newbe wili, as high as she can...also so in-human.....to a beautiful melodic accompaniment, also to a very slow tempo. A perfect intro into the second act of wili madness.

@balletreign Жыл бұрын

That part is the BEST 🙌🏻🙌🏻

@victoriachen6879 7 ай бұрын

Such a wonderful commentary about Giselle - Makes me appreciate the ballet so much more!! Great job you guys :D Love the editing too!

@balletreign 6 ай бұрын

Thank you!!✨🫰🏻

@michelleporter5011 3 ай бұрын

I can’t wait to see my first ballet!!

@celestinedetourvel1018 8 ай бұрын

Hi girls, I wanted to say thank you. Before I watched your video I knew nothing about Giselle and I’ve learnt to really enjoy it thanks to you. I just bought my kids an audio book telling the story on the music, it has lovely paintings too. My kids love it, and I’m happy to show them parts or the ballet on YT. Also I’m going to see Giselle at Opéra Garnier next season for my birthday. It will be my first time… can’t wait ! Thank you again !

@balletreign 8 ай бұрын

Aww!! So happy to hear this! Such a beautiful thing that ur introducing ur family to ballet and so thankful to be a part of that 💕💕. We hope u enjoy ur first ballet! Giselle is a great one. (We recently posted a video on “audience etiquette” that u may like too! ☺️)