Throwback Thursday and Spooky Ballet
What does Halloween have to do with ballet and history? Nothing, exactly. But during the Romantic Period, with its
fascination with all things supernatural, many great ballets were created. Filmy white costumes, the eerie flickering of
gas-jet lighting, trap doors and flying spirits – it sounds a lot like
Halloween to me!
My favorite “ghost” ballet is the famous Giselle.
It was choreographed in 1841 by Jules Perrot (his wife Carlotta Grisi
danced the leading role) and Jean Coralli. The haunting score was composed by
Adolphe Adam (you know him as the composer of the famous Christmas carol O Holy Night). Giselle has
everything: a tragic love story; scary,
zombie-like supernatural beings, and a second act set in a dark, spooky forest. Yet many people have never heard of this
ballet. Perhaps we should start a
Halloween tradition making Giselle
the official Halloween ballet – much like Nutcracker
has become so associated with the Christmas season.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #4:
“The haunting ballet Giselle
was choreographed in 1841 by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“There
are mysteries which men can only guess at, which age by age they may solve only
in part.”
-Bram Stoker, Dracula
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