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The Greek National Opera’s 2026/27 season brings Giselle back to the Stavros Niarchos Hall, the production that enchanted audiences during winter 2025/26, underscoring the enduring allure of the most famous ballet of the Romantic era. Adolphe Adam’s masterpiece will be presented for eleven performances in December 2026 and January 2027, in a new, impressive interpretation of Marius Petipa’s classical choreography by distinguished choreographers Verónica Villar and Elena Iglesias. This GNO Ballet production, featuring world-class ballet stars, promises an experience of high aesthetic standards, where technical perfection meets profound emotional expression.
Giselle is one of the most famous ballets of all time and a landmark in the history of dance. Although it had remained forgotten in Europe for a time, it made a dynamic comeback in the early 20th century, reclaiming its place in the global repertoire. The title role, often described as ‘the Hamlet of ballet’, remains the ultimate challenge for a ballerina to this day, demanding a rare combination of technical mastery and powerful dramatic performance.
The story revolves around the young peasant girl Giselle’s unfortunate love for Count Albrecht, who hides his true identity from her. When the truth is revealed and his betrayal becomes unbearable, Giselle is driven to madness and death. In Act II, in a dreamlike, eerie world, the Wilis—the spirits of betrayed young women—return to take revenge by luring men into a relentless dance until they collapse from exhaustion. Yet love overpowers death, as Giselle protects Albrecht and, through forgiveness, gives him life.
Giselle is not just a tale of romance and betrayal; it is a profoundly poetic work about the power of love that transcends the very limits of existence. Adam’s music and the choreography, featuring subtle shades between the realism of Act I and the ethereal, poetic atmosphere of Act II, create a unique stage universe, dominated by a sense of silent tension and transcendental beauty.
