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A Ballet Masterpiece: a New Critical Edition of Giselle

Apr. 20, 2026

“Giselle ou Les Wilis” – now known as Giselle – was premiered in 1841 at the Paris Opéra and is now regarded as the quintessential Romantic ballet. It breaks with the conventions of the time by beginning as a comedy, then ending tragically and transforming into a poetic ghost story. With its emotionally effective music and innovative dramaturgy, “Giselle” became Adolphe Adam’s best-known musico-dramatic work and one of the central milestones in the history of dance – despite the problematic source material and associated unsatisfactory versions of the work. After examining the autograph score and the original orchestral parts and piano reductions not previously evaluated, Doug Fullington and Marian Smith have succeeded in creating a scholarly-critical edition of the full score, which includes the traditional interpolations such as the so-called “Peasants” Pas de deux and the waltz variation in the Second Act. Thus, the edition is suitable for both traditional and modern stage productions as well as concert performances and recordings.

Read more about this outstanding critical edition in [t]akte here.

Adolphe Adam
Giselle
Ballet in two acts
Libretto by Théophile Gautier and Vernoy de Saint-Georges
Edited by Doug Fullington and Marian Smith
Series OPERA. Spektrum des europäischen Musiktheaters in Einzeleditionen
2(pic).2(eh).2.2-4.2.2 cornets.3.ophicleide.4 hunting horns-timp-2perc-hp-str / Stage Music: bells.4 hunting horns
110'

Publisher: Bärenreiter, BA08819, score available on sale, performance material available on hire, piano reduction with stage directions available

To learn more about Adolphe Adam, visit baerenreiter.com.

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