Giselle is a young, peasant woman…

she has a weak heart…

but she loves to dance.

Hilarian, a local hunter, is in love with Giselle, but she is in love with a handsome stranger, Albrecht.

In Act 1 of the ballet, Hilarian reveals that Albrecht is actually a prince…

and though Albrecht promised Giselle he loved her, he is betrothed to a princess.

Giselle tragically dies of a broken heart.

She is buried in the nearby forest, where the Wilis live. Wilis are the spirits of unmarried women who also died of broken hearts.

As revenge, they force any man found in the forest at night to dance to their deaths.

In Act 2, the curtain opens on Hilarian making a cross for Giselle’s grave.

Unfortunately, he is seen by Myrta, the Queen of the Wilis. Is this the end of Hilarian?

Will Albrecht risk visiting Giselle’s grave? Will Giselle become a wili, bitter and vengeful?

Or is it possible for love to transcend betrayal and death?