The Grand Opera House was charmed and lighted by St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre`s production of Giselle last night.


These masters of their art displayed breathtaking skill and grace as they performed the tragic tale of lost love.


Irina Kolesnikova, playing Giselle, brilliantly portrayed the young heroine`s passion for Dmitry Akulinin`s Albrecht, who, at the beginning of the story, is dressed as a peasant to hide his real identity as the Duke of Silesia.


It soon emerges that, despite his seeming to return Gisell`s love, the Duke is really engaged to the Prince of Courland`s daughter – who arrives on the scene to claim her future husband.

Distraught, Giselle dances herself to death. Kolesnikova performed the demise suddenly and passionately, going from a young girl experiencing the wonder of true love – to the pain of betrayal. Her portrayal left the audience at the end of the first act truly shocked at the tragic events.


For the second act, the beautifully crafted countryside scenery had been altered to show a gloomy forest clearing, where Giselle appeared as one of many girls who had died after suffering rejection from their lovers.


Devastated at the result of his actions, Albrecht is lured to the scene and while his despair is brilliantly evident, Giselle protects him from the fate which she met.


It was a treat to watch the two leads perform this heartbreaking story: their incredible dancing and acting skills made this a night to remember.


The entire production, too, made for an excellent show – the orchestra playing joy and sadness with equal brilliance and every dancer hitting just the right note.