Giselle

Music by Adolphe-Charles Adam
Teatro Massimo di Palermo 2025-06-14 ... 2025-06-20

The enchanting ballet “Giselle” returns to the Teatro Massimo in Palermo from June 14 to 20, 2025, offering audiences a chance to experience one of the most beloved and hauntingly beautiful works in the classical ballet repertoire. Set to the music of Adolphe-Charles Adam, “Giselle” tells the tragic yet romantic story of a young peasant girl who falls in love, only to face betrayal and heartbreak. With choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, this masterpiece intertwines themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. The ballet is renowned for its emotional depth, its ethereal second act filled with the ghostly Wilis, and its demanding technical choreography, especially in the title role of Giselle, which challenges dancers to convey both innocence and supernatural grace. Conducted by Nir Kabaretti and featuring the Teatro Massimo’s acclaimed corps de ballet, this production promises to bring the magic and drama of “Giselle” to life in a truly unforgettable way.
“Giselle” premiered at the Paris Opera in 1841, composed by Adolphe-Charles Adam with a libretto by Théophile Gautier and Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges. It was inspired by a German legend and a poem by Heinrich Heine about the Wilis, supernatural maidens who seek revenge on men who have wronged them. The ballet is a quintessential Romantic work, combining the era’s fascination with the supernatural and the tragic, as well as its focus on emotions and ethereal beauty.

Teatro Massimo Travel Package

Music trip to Sicily with a performance at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo.

The Teatro Massimo, one of the grandest opera houses in Europe, provides an ideal setting for such a timeless work. Located in the heart of Palermo, this stunning venue is not only a cultural landmark but also a symbol of Sicily’s rich artistic heritage. Its grand auditorium and world-class acoustics ensure an immersive experience for the audience, making every ballet performance a feast for the senses. Whether you’re a seasoned ballet lover or a newcomer, attending *Giselle* at Teatro Massimo is an opportunity to immerse yourself in both high art and the beauty of Palermo, a city filled with history and charm.

The Story of Giselle

The story centers on Giselle, a young peasant girl who falls in love with Albrecht, a nobleman disguised as a commoner. When Giselle learns of his deception and his engagement to another woman, her heart breaks, and she tragically dies. In the second act, Giselle, now one of the ghostly Wilis, encounters Albrecht again in the afterlife, where she must decide whether to help him or allow him to fall victim to the Wilis’ deadly vengeance. *Giselle* was an immediate success and has remained one of the most performed and loved ballets worldwide, both for its poignant narrative and its combination of technical precision and emotional expression.

The Artists and Creative Team

Coreographer • Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot
Conductor • Nir Kabaretti
Scene Designs • Francesco Zito

Teatro Massimo Ballet and Orchestra
Ballet Director • Jean-Sébastien Colau

A Teatro Massimo New Production

Booking Process

Music trip to Sicily with premium tickets for the performance Giselle at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
The travel package contains 3 days with 2 overnights in a hotel in Palermo and will be composed according to your wishes. You can select between Essential and Superior Package and request more overnights and a following program to explore Sicily.

Each travel package will be composed according to your wishes. Follow the booking process:

Select a Date
Press “Add to cart” and “Send Request”
When we receive your booking request, you will get an individual offer with some hotels to choose from. Only after your decision, we send you a travel contract to confirm the booking.
Description of the Essential and Superior Package