20 – 22 February
Giselle is being staged by SA-born, Europe-based Angela Malan, acclaimed former ballerina and now an admired international ballet teacher, coach and producer. Working with her as she prepares the production for the stage are Joburg Ballet’s ballet mistress Kim Vieira and assistant producers Nicole Ferreira-Dill and Karen Beukes-MacDonald. Appropriately for this 25th anniversary production of Giselle, both Ferreira-Dill and Beukes-MacDonald had distinguished careers as principal dancers with Joburg Ballet.
Giselle launches Joburg Ballet’s 25th Anniversary Season, marking the Silver Jubilee of the company’s founding in 2001. Giselle was the first ballet presented by the newly created Joburg Ballet, known then as South African Ballet Theatre, and has been a pillar of the company’s repertoire over the years
A heartrending story of love so powerful it reaches from beyond the grave, Giselle’s exquisite dancing lays bare a tale of passion, betrayal and forgiveness with one of the greatest of all ballerina roles at its centre.
Joburg Ballet dancers sharing the title role during the season are principals Tammy Higgins (role debut), Ryoko Yagyu and Monike Cristina. In the leading male role of Albrecht, audiences will see Revil Yon with Higgins, Ivan Domiciano (role debut) with Yagyu and Bruno Miranda (role debut) with Cristina.
As the icy Queen of the Wilis, audiences can choose from Savannah Ireland and Gabriella Ghiaroni (role debut) while Hilarion will be danced by Gabriel Fernandes and Mario Gaglione (role debut).
In addition to the four leading roles, the ballet also provides a showcase for dancers in supporting roles as well as a massed corps de ballet which appears in the ghostly second act to chilling effect.
