Giselle under the stars
by Gabrielle Andres (photos: Singapore Dance Theatre)
The human body is indeed a moving, breathing work of art — something proven by the exquisite presentation of the classic ballet Giselle by the Singapore Dance Theatre on the 26th of July 2013.
Giselle tells the story of a young Prince Albrecht who disguises himself as a peasant and falls in love with a village girl named Giselle. Giselle falls in love with Albrecht, and her suitor, jealous, finds Albrecht’s secret. Albrecht’s fiancé arrives and he dismisses his relationship with Giselle as an act of folly. She is driven to madness and dies of a broken heart.
In the second act, Giselle is revived as a Wilis, a spirit of a woman who dies before she is wed. Wilis haunt the woods, cursing men to dance until they die of exhaustion. The Wilis eventually find Albrecht and sentence him to death by dancing, but Giselle protects him. The dawn comes and the Wilis lose their power, saving Albrecht, but leaving him haunted by the loss of his true love.
The choreography was astounding. Each character danced in a distinctive way, allowing the audience to deduce who they are. Principal Dancer Rosa Park was stunning as the title character, her dancing expressive and vibrant. She also managed to capture the change in Giselle’s character flawlessly, shifting from the lively young woman to a wandering spirit. The first act was merry and bright, whereas the second act was dark and gloomy. Aside from some synchronization mistakes, the dancing was evocative. Special mention goes to the enchanting Heidi Zolker, who played the Queen of the Wilis, for her noticeably icy demeanor and uncompassionate attitude towards Albrecht.
Beautifully staged in an intimate setting, Ballet under the Stars is an experience not to be missed.
