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Thanks to Stephen Nelson and Jocelyn Dilifer for helpful comments on several steps in the video; Zimmi Coker and Elisabeth Beyer for help on Giselle-related questions; David LaMarch on tempo for ballet music; and Irina Faynzilberg on music counts. Also thanks to several commenters for suggesting the topic.
The role of Count Albrecht in the iconic ballet Giselle is a supreme test of a male dancer. The role in the tragic classic demands a high degree of dramatic range, coupled with athleticism and technical prowess. Two of the preeminent Albrechts were Mikhail Baryshnikov and Roberto Bolle and I provided comments on their Albrecht Act II variations in two videos linked at the end. This video focuses on their codas in Act II. The dancers demonstrate unparalleled athleticism with superhuman qualities, combined with refined technique, filled with dramatic flair and nuance as the two Albrechts desperately fight for survival.
By the way, how do you pronounce "Myrtha" the Queen of the Willis? Is the "h" silent? I've heard different pronunciations and I pronounced the "h" in my narration.
Steps (Descriptions generally from Gail Grant, Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet)
Brisé: Broken, breaking. A small beating step in which the movement is broken. Brisés are commenced on one or two feet and end on one or two feet. Fundamentally, the step is an assemblé beaten and traveled. The working leg brushes from the fifth position to the second position so that the point of the footis a few inches off the ground and beats in front of the other leg, which has come to meet it. Then both feet return to the ground simultaneously in demi-plié in the fifth position.
Chassé: Chased. A step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position. A transition step.
Entrechat Six: A beating step with six crossings. Demi-plié in fifth position with right foot in front. With a strong jump open the legs beat the right leg behind the left, open the legs, beat the right leg in front of the left, open the legs and finish with right foot in back in fifth position.
Pas de Papillon or Pas de Poisson: Grant also calls this step a Jeté Passé en Arrière. Jeté passed backward. The legs are thrown backward at a 45 or 90 degrees. Step on the right foot in demi-plié raising the left leg in back. Spring upward from the right foot, throwing the right leg backward into the air and bending the torso back. There should be a movement in the air when both legs pass each other, then the landing is made on the left foot in attitude.
Sources:
Mikhail Baryshnikov Giselle: @artlover5523 "Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov. "Giselle." 1977.": • Natalia Makarova and M...
Roberto Bolle Giselle: @blueraspberry9517 "ROBERTO BOLLE and Svetlana Zakharova ~ Giselle complete." • ROBERTO BOLLE and Svet...
Basic Brisé step: @jsunnyland "Brise" • Brise
Entrechat Six step by Brendan Saye: @nationalballetcanada "Ballet Bytes: Entrechat Six | The National Ballet of Canada" • Ballet Bytes: Entrecha...
Pas de Papillion step: @annatikhomirovaunofficial1697 "20 11 2011 Anna Tikhomirova, Victoria Litvinova, Yulia Lunkina as Fairies of Jewels in Sleeping Beau" • 20 11 2011 Anna Tikhom...
Metronome videos: @BeautifulMetronome "100 BPM 4/4 Wood Metronome HD" • 100 BPM 4/4 Wood Metro...
Photo of Baryshnikov in Giselle, Chicago 1978, Vladimir Bliokh