Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov on why they love Giselle (The Royal Ballet)

Marianela Nunez and Vadim Muntagirov discuss what makes Giselle a balletic masterpiece
Find out more: www.roh.org.uk/giselle
Giselle is the quintessential Romantic ballet. It transformed the dance world when it was first performed in Paris in 1841 and remains at the centre of the classical repertory. Although the choreography and designs have undergone many changes over the years, the essence of Giselle remains the same. Peter Wright’s production for The Royal Ballet is based on Marius Petipa’s classic version (after original choreography by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli), which was first staged in St Petersburg in 1884.
The role of Giselle provides a dancer with many technical and dramatic challenges, from the character’s early love to her poignant descent into madness and her final gesture of forgiveness from beyond the grave. The first act of the ballet is filled with historical detail and rustic colour. By contrast, the second act (known as the White Act) plunges the audience into an eerie moonlit forest haunted by the ethereal Wilis - vengeful spirits of young brides who died before their wedding day. With its combination of memorable story and exquisite choreography, Giselle is the perfect way to discover classical ballet.

[@RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[@pinkwings8036]

Can we talk about how the pianist can play the music perfectly from memory? That's an impressive skill!

[@handelviola]

Pink Wings there’s music.

[@TheSorub]

i think Pink is talking about Mr Wordsworth

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

thats actually the easiest part about playing the piano 🎹 😉

[@musicloverlondon6070]

I loved how he explained the music and how the story is expressed through it. Thank you for uploading this.

[@tullimunurumba_1_132]

Ballet rehearsal pianists really are something else, aren't they

[@s02229]

I like how optimistic they are even tho in many ways Giselle is a pretty dark ballet

[@susanbaskerville5239]

The lovely Marianela a really expressive dancer a joy to watch in every part she dances wonderful BRAVA!!!!!

[@nmrenyi]

"Love is the winner!" What a wonderful comment!

[@hippolyte90]

The thing I love most about "Giselle" is that Giselle and Albrecht really save each other in the end. Albrecht, by showing up at Giselle's grave to mourn, show her that he feels remorse for hurting her and this enable her to forgive him, thus prevents her from becoming a wili. Giselle on her part help Albrecht live through the night and in the end she return to her grave to rest in peace and he returns to his life as a prince much wiser from his ordeal.

[@parepidemosproductions4741]

So does she come back to life in their version of Giselle?

[@stefannydvorak7919]

@@parepidemosproductions4741 No.

[@parepidemosproductions4741]

@@stefannydvorak7919 okay, thank you. I had to ask because I've learned how liberally see productions can be.. like the Russian ballets Drosselmeyer in the nutcracker is more involved in the land of sweets than the original.. and ofc theres Barbie 😂😂

[@lanafoley7390]

I appreciate this explanation! I never realized that Albrecht helped Giselle too, and that now she can rest in peace. I was always impressed that Giselle was so forgiving. Yet in those days of betrothal being arranged even from birth by parents andor officials and for political reasons, Albrecht may not have even been in love with his fiance, and may not have control over the engagement.

[@hippolyte90]

@@lanafoley7390 Yes, Albrecht's engagement was most likely arranged for political reasons and not love, but he was still wrong to promise Giselle eternal love, knowing full well he could never marry her, and deceiving her by disguising himself as a peasant. Depending on the version of the ballet, Albrecht is either in love with Giselle from the start, or he's just flirting with her for his own amusement and falls for her later. Whichever version he is, he breaks Giselle's heart because of his own selfishness. In my head canon, Giselle's death is the first time Albrecht is truly confronted with the consequences of his actions, which, in the past his status as a prince, has shielded him from.

[@daffo595]

I love how everyone is so passionate about the part they're involved in

[@kierahawkins5799]

Daph Duck yeah, every single part counts.

[@Elena-lv7iw]

I LOVE Vadim, he's so sweet and he is the best dancer I've ever seen❤

[@icarrus4u]

I love them both! Two amazing humble artist!

[@pajaronegro38]

I've not heard the score for this ballet played so beautifully until now. Though I do miss Marianela as Myrtha. She was positively chilling.

[@mercedesc4824]

Marianela is my favorite ballerina!!

[@steemdup]

Aw, I wish I could see Marianela live in this production. She's so great.

[@iamsel_]

Goshhhh how I love Marianela's facial expressions while dancing, she's so beautiful 💘 🇦🇷

[@balletmadxxxxc2060]

I love the music in this and marianela she is so beautiful and a amazing dancer. one of my favourite ballets of all time

[@leobajaga3404]

Marianela Nuñez is so precious, she seems so pure-hearted!

[@natasharoth4843]

Vadim is a superb dancer! Bravo!

[@marthajane6617]

This will be a beautiful production, the dancers are so compatible and their teachers are so dedicated and knowledgeable about the piece in every way.

[@altongrimes]

Marrienela is like a sunflower wherever she goes ....

[@correoismamon]

Marianela is dazzling, exquisite!

[@RainbowCharms58]

Saw this in the cinema last night, and it was absolutely stunning

[@erszidombihansen1237]

I adore them both. Such humility yet great artistry and talent. Hand on heart!

[@Clown92]

I can't wait for the DVD to be released. This is the Giselle I want to see again and again.

[@gimmepugs6826]

+Alex Monas _Will it be on DVD? If so, I'm definitely gonna buy it, I couldn't make the cinema stream. I can't wait either!_

[@Clown92]

+Jessica Gomez I am not sure but I do hope so.

[@gimmepugs6826]

Alex Monas Me too! :)

[@RoyalBalletAndOpera]

+Alex Monas We're so glad you enjoyed the performance as much as we did. Unfortunately there are no plans to release a DVD, but we will of course announce on our social channels if this changes.

[@zeddnl6514]

+Royal Opera House Please please please release a DVD. :(

[@jamie1411]

4:40 his head pops up so in time with the piano accents i love it

[@giasharie274]

ya same

[@mercedessegui6698]

MARIANELA! Sos un ser increíble. Aparte de ser una etoile del ballet , creo deberá a ser una gran PERSONA! Siempre hablas con una sonrisa en tus labios !!! Me inclino ante TI !!!!! 😘😘😘😘

[@lizziew4954]

saw this at the cinema last night ❤ amazing!

[@viewerabundzu6887]

you should treat them nice! well said my boy!!

[@herrbrucvald6376]

adorable....if someone said these 2 ran of together in real life, I'd believe it....

[@barbaralemere5183]

Aaaahhh! That was just a teaser! I hope this is on DVD somewhere so we can see the whole thing.

[@ntricker]

It is available - in the Royal Opera House online shop.

[@emanuelestrada8765]

i love this woman!!!!

[@moonlightchill4538]

Can't we have a version where Nela plays both giselle and myrtha????

[@michelinearthebise2783]

bravo pianist!

[@jjkpjm]

Beautiful❤😍🤩🤩

[@sillystrings]

5:08 cracks me up, hopefully you don't have to go to the extremes of Giselle to show you love your significant other

[@michelinearthebise2783]

sublime danseurs

[@ladygareca1332]

is perfect

[@mbmarjana]

Como eu assisto Giselle completo?

[@faridahayinde5546]

Vadreamm !!!

[@mariomarijanovic7469]

I love Gisele

[@evjackson572]

are you coming or not

[@deenagara9151]

She looks a little bit like Emily Blunt.

[@siegfried923]

Marianela and Vadim were great in the filmed version but didn't think the Queen of the Wilis was that good the Royal has better actresses for this role

[@evjackson572]

one stone from the beach one piece of rope and two rings (you know which ones)

[@patriciafoster3347]

Nunez is the best Myrtha I’ve EVER watched.

[@cheekymonkey3929]

G is el.😘

[@anne12453C]

Nela IS Giselle

[@evjackson572]

would be more ironic had it been 3 but no its 4

[@erickaborjas5831]

First

[@evjackson572]

i have 4 presents for you

[@kittenshiitenshi5241]

Who came here for our graceful maiden marianela nunez,,, hit the like botton Haha, ur choice XD 😂😁