Shanghai Ballet returns to North America with a hauntingly beautiful take on one of ballet's most iconic love stories.
A broken heart. A moonlit graveyard. A ghostly sisterhood with a taste for revenge. Giselle isn't your typical love story.
Chandler Center for the Arts kicks off its season with the internationally acclaimed Shanghai Ballet, returning to North America for the first time in more than five years with a breathtaking production of Giselle. Equal parts romance, tragedy and ghost story, this 19th-century masterpiece proves that heartbreak never goes out of style.
First performed in 1841, Giselle has become one of the most celebrated ballets of all time. With choreography originally created by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot and music by Adolphe Adam, the two-act production pairs extraordinary athleticism with a story that's as captivating today as it was nearly two centuries ago.
A Ghost Story Told Through Dance
The story begins with Giselle, a young village girl who loves to dance and falls for Albrecht, a charming stranger who isn't quite who he claims to be. When she discovers he's actually a nobleman promised to another woman, the betrayal proves fatal.
But the story doesn't end there.
Enter the Wilis: supernatural spirits of young women who died after being betrayed by their lovers. Emerging at night in flowing white dresses, they lure men into an endless dance until exhaustion claims their lives. It's beautiful, eerie and just a little terrifying.
When Giselle joins their ranks, she's faced with an impossible choice: seek revenge on the man who broke her heart or save him from the very spirits she's become part of.
What unfolds is a haunting exploration of love, forgiveness and the power of compassion.
Shanghai Ballet Makes a Classic Feel Otherworldly
Known for its impeccable technique and expressive storytelling, Shanghai Ballet brings both precision and emotional depth to this timeless production.
The ballet shifts from the warmth and energy of a bustling village to a dreamlike cemetery illuminated by moonlight. In its most mesmerizing moments, the dancers seem almost weightless, transforming the stage into a world where the line between the living and the supernatural disappears.
Critics have taken notice. The Ottawa Citizen called Shanghai Ballet's Giselle "technically exquisite and emotionally moving," praising the company's ethereal movement and tender storytelling.
The Ottawa Dance Blog was particularly struck by dancer Qi Bingxue's performance, writing, "I don't believe I ever heard her toe shoes touch the stage."
It's that combination of remarkable technique and compelling artistry that makes Shanghai Ballet's interpretation so memorable.
A Timeless Ballet with a Dark Side
Whether you're a devoted ballet fan, a lover of ghost stories or simply looking for a night at the theater that's a little outside the ordinary, Giselle offers something unexpected.
There's romance, betrayal, supernatural suspense and some of the most visually striking choreography in classical ballet. And while the story may be nearly 200 years old, its themes of love, loss and redemption feel remarkably timeless.
Experience the haunting beauty of Shanghai Ballet's Giselle at Chandler Center for the Arts, where an unforgettable story comes to life without a single spoken word.
Discover the beauty, mystery and magic of Giselle. Get your tickets today.