The Kansas City Ballet Presents GISELLE, Now thru 3/22

The 57th season of Kansas City Ballet continues with Giselle, choreography by Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney, choreographed after Jean Corrali and Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa to the enchanting music of Adolphe Adam. The production runs tonight, March 13 - 22 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and will be accompanied by Kansas City Symphony conducted by Kansas City Ballet Music Director Ramona Pansegrau.

Artistic Director Devon Carney said, "Giselle is a one-of-a-kind production that is near and dear to me, having played all male roles including the lead, Albrecht. At age 173, this masterpiece is one of the oldest continually-performed classics in the world of ballet. My approach to this work has been entirely about the preservation of style and artistic intent. Presenting the great classical works is a key part of my artistic vision. It remains one of the most popular works of the dance canon for a reason: It is a love story full of endearing pas de deuxs, gorgeous and challenging solos, and one of the most renowned and ethereal corps de ballet scenes in the history dance. I am happy to have our company perform my interpretation of this classical favorite that is sure to please our audiences."

This stunning production of Giselle is a rare opportunity to enjoy one of ballet's true romantic classics. Created in 1841, the hauntingly beautiful Giselle is considered by many to be the supreme achievement of the Romantic Age of Ballet.

Giselle, a full-length ballet in two acts, tells the tale of enduring love even after death, featuring two of the most celebrated and demanding roles for a ballerina and premier danseur. This other-worldly and tragic ballet tells the heart-breaking story of an innocent young village girl who falls in love with Albrecht, the Duke of Silesia disguised as a peasant lad under the alias Loys. Act I closes with Giselle discovering his real identity and that he is betrothed to the Prince's daughter. Giselle, driven mad with grief, dies of a broken heart - a scene widely considered to be one of the most dramatically challenging role in the ballet canon. Act II unfolds as Albrecht comes grieving to her grave and is surrounded by Wilis, the spirits of young girls who were jilted before their wedding day and now seek revenge upon men by forcing them to dance to their deaths. Giselle protects him from the avenging spirits, and through true love, saves his life. With high standards of dramatic interpretation expected, this ballet is considered to be one of the great artistically stylized full-length ballets of its time within the classical idiom. Be moved by a masterpiece of newly discovered love, leading to the tragic heartbreak of betrayal, and ultimately the power of forgiveness.

Visit www.kcballet.org for more information about Kansas City Ballet's 2014-2015 season andwww.kauffmancenter.org for a downloadable media kit about the Kauffman Center.

Photo Courtesy of the KC Ballet