Royal New Zealand Ballet to perform Giselle in Palmerston North on May 19

Giselle is a story of innocent love and betrayal, of philandering Count Albrecht and trusting peasant maid Giselle.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet's Giselle, which toured the world after its sold-out premiere season in 2012, returns to delight ballet fans.

Romantic, mystical and lyrical, the RNZB's Giselle is a timeless production of one of ballet's great stories.

"We have reached into our vault of precious gems and great, beloved ballets, and can't wait to be on stage again with Giselle," RNZB artistic director Patricia Barker says.

"New Zealand audiences and dancers have shared an almost 70-year love affair with this ballet, which continues to enthral us all with its elegance and timeless story."

The other-worldly Romantic ballet has become a signature work for the RNZB. After captivating both audiences and critics alike, the production toured to China, the United States, the UK and Italy. In 2013 it was turned into a feature film by director Toa Fraser.

In 2021, New Zealand audiences will have the opportunity to see this masterpiece once again, at six centres across the motu (country), including Palmerston North on May 19.

In a remote village, the beautiful and innocent Giselle is courted and captivated by a mysterious stranger. When he is revealed as Count Albrecht, betrothed to another, Giselle, heartbroken, descends into madness and death.

In the forest, the Wilis, vengeful ghosts of jilted brides, meet to greet their recently arrived sister, who rises from her grave to join their ranks.

In 2016, The New Zealand Herald wrote: "It is easy to see why the Royal NZ Ballet's signature work Giselle has earned popular and critical acclaim at home in New Zealand and around the world: it is simply superb in every way."

The Details
What: Giselle
When: Wednesday, May 19, 7.30pm
Where: Regent on Broadway
Tickets: From the venue