Giselle (3)

There are a number of highlights in the performance. The most memorable of these in the first Act are the pas de deux which constitutes the ‘entertainment’ provided for the noble visitors, danced by Mr Xi Zhang and Ms Qi Wang, and the final scene of the Act where Giselle, in the face of Albrecht’s deceit, loses her mind and dies. The whole of the second Act is magnificent; worthy of exceptional mention are the superlative coordination of the female corps dancing as the Wilis, the pas de deux of Giselle and Albrecht, and Albrecht’s solo while dancing under their spell. Some of the physical demands placed on Albrecht in particular during his solo are extraordinary – Ma Xiaodong’s response to the challenge is outstanding.

Overall, the standards of the performance are as high as you would expect from China’s national ballet corps. In addition to the quality of the dancing, the set design is simple and apt, and particularly effective during the second Act. The orchestra performs with distinction, doing justice to the score – much admired by the great composer Tchaikovsky - while never impinging upon the dancers.