Send us more of these ballet talks from Elizabeth Kaye! They help even longtime ballet fans deepen their understanding of the art and its history. Brava!

That was wonderful! What a splendid way to prepare to go see Giselle. Elizabeth Kaye's depth of knowledge about history and culture, the way she ties it to Giselle to give us a deeper understanding the ballet is a great gift. And her words at the end about forgiveness and forgiving made me cry. I will never watch Giselle again without thinking of all the things she's said.

Elizabeth’s presentation is enchanting and informative. How wonderful to have her as a voice in a subject she cares so much about.

I hope to hear Elizabeth again soon presenting another ballet masterpiece with incredible elegance!

It's always a treat to hear Elizabeth speak on ballet.

I enjoyed learning about Giselle in Behind the Ballet with Elizabeth Kaye very much. Elizabeth Kaye truly brought the history of Giselle to life.

Elizabeth’s talk is so interesting and presented with excellent enunciation and tone. She draws in the listener. She drew me in.

I enjoyed Elizabeth Kaye's presentation about one of my favorite ballets, "Giselle." I especially liked learning about the history of the making of "Giselle" and learning about the toe shoes and how the dancers can glide so beautifully across the floor en pointe. Also I liked Elizabeth's description of the Wilis, the unfortunate young women who, as seen in the ballet, were left waiting at the altar in their wedding gowns, died and were buried in their wedding gowns, and arose from their graves to dance young men to death!!!!

Wonderful! Please make more of these and make them longer. Loved the way you help those of us who adore Giselle understand it better by giving us the historical context. I would love to know who your favorite interpreters are-from the far away past, the recent past, and from today’s Giselles, Albrechts, and Myrthas. 0:47

Previous viewers have used words that I would also use to describe Elizabeth Kaye's fluid and delightful presentation-enchanting, informative and elegant. Thank you to American Ballet Theatre for giving us BEHIND THE BALLET with Elizabeth Kaye. It is a real gift to have a seminal work like Giselle brought to us in such a sophisticated and engaging way. I, too, look forward to much more! Sincerely, Patricia Kelly (Mrs. Gene Kelly)

This video with Elizabeth Kaye telling the story of the making of Giselle was magical. She shares the story beautifully. For me, learning more about the pink satin en point shoes was particularly interesting.

Elizabeth is a treasure - how lovely to listen to her, thank you.

Giselle has been my favorite ballet since I was a little girl and saw it for the first time. The story, the music, the dancing, the sets, the costumes - exquisite - but I must say this presentation by Elizabeth Kaye was gorgeous. Looking forward to more from her. Meanwhile I'm tracking down her writing...

Such a thorough history of this masterpiece. Maybe we need a neo-romantic period to evolve now! Thank you for your excellent presentation.

What an insightful presentation of Giselle. It didn’t occur to me that part of the satisfaction of this most enchanting ballet is the viewer’s emotional identification with both Albrecht and Giselle. Also fascinating is the real-life story of the choreographer and his beloved. No wonder the ballet continues to haunt audiences, almost 100 years after its creation.

Thank you, ABT, for presenting this superb program on ballet history! Elizabeth Kaye brings ballet history to life! Even though I've seen Giselle many times, I always learn something new from her talks. I can't wait for the next one! Brava!

Once again, Elizabeth Kaye, wonderfully done. Thank you!

Elisabeth Kaye is a hugely talented writer and ballet expert. First, she takes us through the history behind Giselle and how the innovation of the point shoe propelled ballerinas into superstardom during the Romantic era, leading the way to the classical style we so enjoy today. Elizabeth introduces us to the key dancers, choreographers and musicians involved in Giselle’s genesis and original performances. She then describes Giselle’s storyline and the historical and artistic aspects of the ballet’s performance whose standards are still upheld in our times. Elizabeth’s sensibility and profound understanding of art and human nature adorn her storytelling as she selects just the right anecdotes to deepen our understanding while making her narration exquisitely entertaining. Her presentation makes me want to eagerly watch Giselle again. I look forward to hear more of Elizabeth’s future Behind the Ballet talks!

This was absolutely lovely, thank you ABT.

I love learning the history of the ballet as well gaining understanding of the story underlying the dancing. Both are so fascinating and well-explained.

My favorite ballet explained so thoroughly and beautifully ! Thank you !!

Informative, interesting and fluid speaker. Elizabeth Kaye's ballet talk is a performance in itself. I love listening to her.

This was so touching and complete. Thank you very much.

I truly appreciate this description of the ballet Giselle. I will be seeing ABT’s Giselle in a few weeks with my family. I will forward this commentary to them so they have an in-depth understanding of the plot and the historical significance of this ballet!! Thank you Elizabeth Kaye

Such superb commentary. I learned so much and feel enriched by Kaye's understanding of the deeper meaning of dance.

Elizabeth is so great! Her presentations are transfixing

What a marvelous storyteller. The details of it's creation are inspiring.

Beautifully explained.

Excellent!

Ms Kaye presents an excellent explication of both the ballet itself and the interpersonal and cultural background that led to its creation. Like many older ballets, it has changed in how it has been produced over time. In 2011, the Pacific Northwest Ballet staged a version based on primary source documents that had been unearthed in the recent past. Perhaps most notably, the ballet originally included more mime, which was apparently common in story ballets of the time. PNB revives that production from time to time (most recently earlier this year) and it is definitely worth attending if one is a fan of "Giselle."

Elizabeth I did ballet 11 yrs. I was very good but knew I was never going to be great like u.

My middle name is Elizabeth. LOL

Is she Nora Kaye’s daughter?