The Greek National Opera presents Giselle, featuring world-class ballet stars, from 20 December 2026 to 10 January 2027 at the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC).
The story revolves around the young peasant girl Giselle’s unfortunate love for Count Albrecht, who hides his true identity from her. When the truth is revealed and his betrayal becomes unbearable, Giselle is driven to madness and death. In Act II, in a dreamlike, eerie world, the Wilis—the spirits of betrayed young women—return to take revenge by luring men into a relentless dance until they collapse from exhaustion. Yet love overpowers death, as Giselle protects Albrecht and, through forgiveness, gives him life.
Giselle is not just a tale of romance and betrayal; it is a profoundly poetic work about the power of love that transcends the very limits of existence. Adam’s music and the choreography, featuring subtle shades between the realism of Act I and the ethereal, poetic atmosphere of Act II, create a unique stage universe, dominated by a sense of silent tension and transcendental beauty.
Adolphe Adam’s masterpiece will be presented in a new, impressive interpretation of Marius Petipa’s classical choreography by distinguished choreographers Verónica Villar and Elena Iglesias.
The story revolves around the young peasant girl Giselle’s unfortunate love for Count Albrecht, who hides his true identity from her. When the truth is revealed and his betrayal becomes unbearable, Giselle is driven to madness and death. In Act II, in a dreamlike, eerie world, the Wilis—the spirits of betrayed young women—return to take revenge by luring men into a relentless dance until they collapse from exhaustion. Yet love overpowers death, as Giselle protects Albrecht and, through forgiveness, gives him life.
Giselle is not just a tale of romance and betrayal; it is a profoundly poetic work about the power of love that transcends the very limits of existence. Adam’s music and the choreography, featuring subtle shades between the realism of Act I and the ethereal, poetic atmosphere of Act II, create a unique stage universe, dominated by a sense of silent tension and transcendental beauty.
Adolphe Adam’s masterpiece will be presented in a new, impressive interpretation of Marius Petipa’s classical choreography by distinguished choreographers Verónica Villar and Elena Iglesias.