A Message from the Artistic Director

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA | Artistic Director

Dear Friends,

As we embark on our 60th anniversary season—a true diamond season—I am thrilled to present our debut production of Giselle, a cherished masterpiece in the world of ballet. This milestone is not just a celebration of our past but a testament to the vibrant future we continue to build together.

This Giselle is entirely crafted by the dedicated team at Alberta Ballet, and I couldn’t be prouder. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every member of our incredible family: from our Technical Director Jason McLellan and Wardrobe Director Heather Dornian to their entire teams, whose hard work and creativity have transformed my artistic vision into reality. Your contributions have been nothing short of phenomenal.

Giselle is one of the most iconic ballets in history, and in this production, I aimed to infuse it with a refreshing perspective. Our interpretation embraces the cherished traditions while innovatively exploring the story and choreography, breathing new life into its characters and themes.

It has been a profound honour to collaborate with such a talented group of dancers, each of whom has generously shared their artistry to bring this unique Alberta Ballet version of Giselle to life.

Thank you, dear audience, and supporters, for joining us on this journey. Let us celebrate our 60th birthday together, and I invite you to experience this incredible season ahead.

With gratitude and excitement,

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Story

PROLOGUE

Hilarion is finishing the flower crown he has made as a gift for Giselle to express his love for her.

Albrecht dresses up as a peasant to escape to the village and pretends to be Loys so he can seduce Giselle, while his friend Wilfred tries to convince him not to.

ACT 1

The mood is celebratory in the village with the harvest underway, and Giselle is in high spirits. She has met a new arrival in the village, Loys, and is delighted to find he is just as enchanted with her as she is with him. Hilarion, a local gamekeeper who seeks Giselle’s hand for himself, is frustrated by their relationship and is suspicious of Loys.

Giselle is bright and graceful with a love for dance but has a weak heart. Her mother, Berthe, is fearful that Giselle’s love for dance will be her undoing. Any shock to her heart – be it dancing or heartbreak – could prove Giselle’s demise.

When a rich family arrives at the village, with the charming and elegant Princess Bathilde among its members, Hilarion unravels Loys’ secret: Loys is really the Duke Albrecht and is betrothed to Princess Bathilde. Hilarion reveals this knowledge, and the truth shocks Giselle to her core. As she struggles to absorb the stark reality of the deception, her heart gives way, and she dies.

ACT 2

Giselle has been laid to rest in the forest, which is where we find the Wilis. Known and feared in the villages throughout the region, the Wilis are spirits of young women who have died of heartbreak. They are led by their queen, Myrtha, and this ghostly sisterhood forces wayfarers travelling through the forest to dance to their deaths.

The Wilis have gathered at Giselle’s grave to initiate her into the group, and when Hilarion arrives, he is ensnared by these spirits and meets his demise. Albrecht faces a similar fate when he visits the grave, but Giselle intercedes. She dances with Albrecht through the night, devising to hold strong until dawn, when the power of the Wilis will wane.

The ballet closes with a final romantic encounter between Albrecht and Giselle. In the early morning light, Albrecht says his last goodbye to Giselle. He is left alone, carrying only the memory of Giselle.

Giselle
Creative Team

Music Credits

“Giselle”
By: Adolphe Adam
Performed by: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Mogrelia
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Giselle
Casting

ALSO FEATURING

Sylvie

Sebastian

Alberta Ballet Dancers

Alberta Ballet Artistic Team

Company Teachers | Francesco Ventriglia, Yoshiya Sakurai, Hayna Gutierrez,
Class Pianists | Darren Ancheta, Lorel Leal, Michael Li
Physiotherapy | Peak Health and Performance
Assistant Stage Manager | Kade Mazury

Production Team

Head Carpenter | Brian Chmielewski
Lead Fly | Kevin Green
Lead Props | Rochelle Hammond
Head Lighting | Carson Schmidt
Lead Wardrobe | Terri Grant
Second Wardrobe | Hannah-Lee Harris
Wardrobe Cutter/Stitcher | Lori McMahon
Scenic Painter | Patrick O’Neill
Assistant Scenic Painter | Chloe Diochnos

Stage Technicians provided by IATSE Local 212.

Costumes by Alberta Ballet Wardrobe Team
Sets by Alberta Ballet Technical Team
Scenery design by Italo Grassi, realized by ARTEFATTO

The Alberta Ballet Foundation:
More than what you see on stage

The Alberta Ballet Foundation is part of the vital network of supporters and funders who help make this vision possible. This support sustains scholarships, outreach, and artistic initiatives. From training young dancers to bringing ballet to new audiences, these programs keep the art form thriving.

ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2026/27

Alberta Ballet opens its 60th Anniversary Season with Giselle, a masterpiece of Romantic ballet. In a new staging by Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia, after the original choreography of Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, this timeless ballet honours its historic roots while offering a fresh perspective for today’s audiences. Thank you for 60 extraordinary years.

Dance Circle Membership $2,000

If you’re a passionate Alberta Ballet subscriber, consider taking part in our donor activities.

To learn more, please contact us at Gifts@AlbertaBallet.com.

A whole community is working behind-the-scenes,
helping us inspire you with dance!

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2026)

2026/27 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS