Giselle Tickets

Giselle Tickets in London

The quintessential Romantic ballet returns to London, as Giselle comes to the Royal Opera House, in the heart of Covent Garden, this February. This atmospheric production, danced by one of the world’s great companies, tells a timeless story of love, betrayal and redemption. Mauritius Petipa’s ethereal choreography and Adolphe Adam’s unforgettable score come alive in this gorgeous staging - secure your tickets today.

What is the opera Giselle about? 

One of ballet’s most beloved works, Giselle blends sweeping Romanticism with aching emotional depth. The story follows Giselle, a young peasant girl whose heart is broken when she learns her love, Albrecht, is a nobleman disguised as a villager. In despair, she dies and rises as one of the Wilis - the spirits of betrayed brides who haunt the forest by moonlight. It’s a tale of innocence betrayed and forgiveness that transcends death, carried by choreography that has enthralled audiences since the ballet’s Paris premiere. 

Audiences are transported through two acts of contrasting worlds - from joyful village scenes to the hauntingly ethereal forest where the Wilis dwell, making this Giselle a spellbinding experience for both seasoned ballet lovers and first‑time visitors.

The History of Giselle 

First performed in Paris in 1841, Giselle stands as a cornerstone of the Romantic ballet era, defined by its blend of rustic charm, supernatural intrigue and emotional resonance. The tale’s shift from joyous village life to a moonlit world of spirits reflects the genre’s fascination with love, loss and otherworldly forces, themes that continue to captivate audiences around the world.

This production by Peter Wright was first created for the Royal Opera House in 1985, and celebrates the ballet’s legacy with choreography rooted in 19th‑century aesthetics and is steeped in rich atmosphere and Romantic tradition, with lush music by Adolphe Adam and choreography by Marius Petipa after the original work of Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot.

The Cast of Giselle 

Casting varies across performances, showcasing leading dancers from The Royal Ballet, with principal roles of Giselle and Albrecht performed by rotating company members, including:

• Marianela Nuñez - Giselle
• William Bracewell - Albrecht
• Mariko M. Sasaki - Giselle
• Calvin Richardson - Albrecht
• Sarah Lamb - Giselle
• Ryoichi Hirano - Albrecht

The Creative Team of Giselle 

This revival of Giselle features choreography by Marius Petipa (Don Quixote, La Bayadère), after Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, presented in an interpretation by Peter Wright (The Nutcracker, Coppélia).

The ballet is set to Adolphe Adam’s (Le corsaire, Le postillon de Lonjumeau) original score edited by Lars Payne. 

Set and costume design is by John Macfarlane (The Nutcracker, The Dream), with lighting re‑created by David Finn (Swan Lake, In the Upper Room) from an original design by Jennifer Tipton (American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater).

Book Tickets for Giselle at the Royal Opera House

Giselle remains one of ballet’s most profound emotional journeys, a poetic blend of beauty, heartbreak and transcendence. From the delicate precision of the dancing to the sweeping Romantic score, Giselle is perfect for devoted ballet fans and those discovering classical dance for the first time. Secure your tickets for Giselle at the Royal Opera House today.