(Photo courtesy of obt.org )
By Philip Ellefson
If you're into high art, you'll think "Giselle" is mind-blowing and beautiful. If not, you'll think it's mind-blowing and sort of silly.
The ballet, put on by Oregon Ballet Theater (OBT), was written by Adolphe Adam in 1841. In a classic (or cliché) romantic plot, "Giselle" tells the story of a peasant girl who falls in love with a duke, and then, because it's a ballet, love and death ensue.
"Giselle" has the same problem all ballets have – it is kind of absurd. The plot is frankly pretty weak. Giselle (spoiler alert) literally dies of a broken heart after she realizes a man she has known for one day deceived her. And it's hard not to laugh when the entire second act is about dancing ghosts called Wilis (they are not scary enough to give you the willies).
That being said, OBT's production of the ballet is wonderfully done. The dancers are beyond impressive, and they can do things that seem impossible for the human body. The orchestra is also spot-on, and the lush autumnal set complements the entire production. Plus, there's a really great bit near the beginning of the second act where some fluffy ghosts fly from the rafters above the stage.
"Giselle" is beautiful. Stepping back from it, it seems a bit silly, but watching it is a captivating experience.
