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Giselle

BY MATS EK

Choreography Mats Ek

Music Adolphe Adam

With the Lyon Opera Ballet

From 28th to 31st january 2010

Introduction

Cast

Discussions

Introduction

1982, Ballet Cullberg in Stockholm. Mats Ek, then a young choreographer, takes on Giselle, monstre sacre of Romantic ballet. This work is to Romantic ballet what Don Juan is to classical theatre or Carmen to French opera.

The original version, on a libretto by Théophile Gautier and music by Adolphe Adam, tells the story of how Giselle, a poor girl seduced by a deceitful nobleman, dies when she discovers the lie of which she is the victim. The supernatural – at the time very fashionable – allows Giselle to become a spirit who never ceases to defend her prince.

The dance by Mats Ek is highly influenced by theatre, while remaining in the technical lineage of the Cullberg dynasty (Mats Ek is the son of Birgit Cullberg). Here, it goes beyond the tragedy of the original libretto by making Giselle a village idiot abused by a cynical seducer from the city, transforming the supernatural into a psychiatric asylum. It draws a powerful and disturbing social portrait of the distress of a betrayed woman who loses her reason, a mirror of society and its failings. A very technical dance magnified by its theatrical overtones, this choreography by Mats Ek is a reference among ballets of the end of the 20th century.

In March 2009, this piece entered the repertoire of the Lyon Opera Ballet, which continues, beyond its creations with numerous choreographers — Christian Rizzo, for example — to enrich its contemporary repertoire, from Jirí Kilián to Maguy Marin, from William Forsythe to Mats Ek.

One of the greatest international ballets for THE masterpiece of Mats Ek: a grand moment ahead.

Work for 16 dancers. Created in 1982 by the Ballet Cullberg, admission to the repertoire of the Lyon Opera Ballet on 22 March 2009.