Greek National Opera reveals secrets behind Giselle ballet revival - EXCLUSIVE

CE Report presents an exclusive interview with distinguished choreographer Verónica Villar and Greek National Opera director Konstantinos Rigos, discussing the revival of the classic ballet Giselle and the artistic decisions behind this highly anticipated production.

What were the main artistic considerations behind choosing Petipa’s classic choreography for this revival?

For this revival of Giselle, our primary artistic intention was to preserve the essence of the classical tradition while ensuring that the production speaks authentically to today’s audiences and dancers. Petipa’s classic choreography provides an extraordinary structural foundation: it is musically precise, dramatically coherent, and deeply respectful of the Romantic style that defines Giselle. By choosing Petipa’s version as our base, we aimed to retain the purity of the ballet’s technical language, the clarity of its mime and the emotional sincerity of its narrative.

At the same time, Petipa’s choreography offers a framework that allows for artistic refinement. This revival focuses on highlighting the dramatic nuances of the story, strengthening character relationships, and deepening the expressive qualities within each scene. Our goal was to honor the historical legacy of Giselle while bringing forward a version that feels alive, immediate, and artistically meaningful for both the Greek National Opera Ballet and its audience.

How were the international guest dancers selected for the lead roles, given the impressive diversity of the cast?

The selection of our international guest dancers was guided entirely by artistic criteria and the specific expressive demands of Giselle. We sought dancers who not only possess exceptional classical technique but also demonstrate a deep sensitivity to the Romantic style and the dramatic depth required for these iconic roles. Each artist was chosen for their ability to bring authenticity, nuance, and emotional truth to the characters of Giselle and Albrecht, as well as for their musicality and stylistic integrity.

The impressive diversity of the cast emerged naturally from this process. Rather than aiming for variety, our goal was to assemble the most compelling combination of artists—dancers whose individual strengths and interpretive qualities would enrich the production. By inviting performers from different schools and backgrounds, we were able to bring multiple perspectives into the rehearsal room, ultimately enhancing the artistic richness and international character of this revival.

Could you provide details on any new elements introduced in this adaptation by you and Elena Iglesias?

While our revival is firmly rooted in the traditional Petipa framework, Elena and I introduced several artistic refinements designed to enhance the dramatic clarity and emotional continuity of the ballet. Our focus was on deepening the storytelling rather than altering its classical foundation.

We strengthened key character relationships—particularly between Giselle, Albrecht and Hilarion— to give the narrative greater psychological coherence. We also incorporated subtle choreographic adjustments to help today’s dancers express the Romantic style with more freedom and authenticity, without compromising the purity of the original classical vocabulary.

Additionally, we worked closely on refining group formations and corps de ballet dynamics, especially in Act II, to heighten the atmosphere and spiritual tension of the Willis. These enhancements were not intended as innovations for their own sake, but as thoughtful interpretive choices aimed at bringing renewed freshness, emotional resonance, and artistic cohesion to a beloved classic

What audience turnout and international attendance does the Greek National Opera expect for the nine performances?

The presentation of classical ballets by the Greek National Opera ballet remains a vital pillar of our repertoire. It responds to the audience’s enduring desire to experience the great classics, while also nurturing a new generation of viewers and introducing them to the beauty of this art form. Classical ballet carries a unique kind of magic, and Giselle—one of the most beloved works of the Romantic era—embodies that magic perfectly.

With these nine performances already sold out, our aim is to reintroduce classical ballet through a refreshed and almost painterly artistic perspective. By welcoming exceptional guest dancers in the principal roles, I believe this new production will draw significant international attention and shine a global spotlight on the work we are creating.

Will the production be recorded or streamed for audiences abroad at a later date?

This production is also scheduled to be filmed and streamed worldwide through GNO TV, further extending its reach to audiences beyond our stage.

Photo: Greek National Opera

This interview was prepared by Julian Müller