1532 Performing Arts Centre, Redland. 15th March 2025, 19:30 – 21:30
We’re very pleased and excited to be performing excerpts from two ballets in our 2025 Gala Performance
Giselle
This ballet tells the story of Giselle who lives in a village with her sister. She is in love with Albrecht (a local lord who is pretending to be a villager), much to the disappointment of Hilarion, the village gamekeeper who is in love with her.
Giselle’s village celebrates May Day, although the celebrations come to an end when Hilarion blows Albrecht’s hunting horn, which results in the arrival of his fiancée. The shock of this causes Giselle’s heart to give out and she dies.
Giselle becomes a Willi, ghosts of women who have been betrayed and died before their wedding day. Led by their Queen, Myrtha, they force any men they capture to dance until they die. Hilarion is captured, and then Albrecht. However, Giselle, who still loves him protects him from Myrthe and the Willis until the sun comes up and they return to their graves. Albrecht is left alone.
Coppélia
Swanhilda and Franz are betrothed, but their happiness is threatened when Franz is caught blowing kisses to a mysterious young woman (Coppélia). Swanhilda and Franz’ friends try to help them reconcile using an old legend; they listen to an ear of wheat and if it rattles, they are meant to be married. Sadly, there is no sound from the wheat.
Swanhilda and her friends decide to investigate Dr Coppelius’ workshop to find the mysterious woman, and unbeknownst to them, Franz decides to do the same. When Swanhilda and her friends explore the workshop, they find it full of dolls, including Coppélia, who turns out to also be a doll. Dr Coppelius returns, captures Franz and attempts to use his life force to bring Coppélia to life. Swanhilda, who is still hiding in the workshop, pretends to be Coppélia brought to life, and then escapes with Franz, leaving Dr Coppelius devastated.A prayer is said to bless the harvest in the village square and the harvest celebrations start. As night begins to settle over the village, Swanhilda and Franz have reconciled and join in with the dancing to celebrate the harvest.