Milwaukee Ballet Tickets

The Milwaukee Ballet is one of the most celebrated ballet companies in the US. Since its foundation in 1969 by Roberta Boorse, it has staged some highly appreciated productions. The ballet company now holds around forty five performances every year with the Nutcracker being its flagship show. From the '70's onwards, more than a million people have enjoyed the ballet's various productions in Wisconsin and in other states. Under the supervision of artistic director Michael Pink, ballet master Denis Malinkine and ballet mistress Nadia Thompson, the company is ready to showcase the romantic ballet Giselle in spring 2015. So grab Milwaukee Ballet tickets and enjoy the show.

Giselle, also known as The Willis, is a two-act romantic ballet that premiered for the first time in 1841. The Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique conducted the performance at the world renowned Salle Le Peletier in Paris, France. At once, it became an instant hit and was performed at major theatres and venues across Russia, Europe and the United States. It was penned down by librettists Theophile Gautier and Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges. The duo took inspiration for their ballet from a poem "Fantomes" in Les Orientales by Victor Hugo and from a prose passage talking about the Wilis in De l'Allemagne by Henrich Heine. The prolific ballet and opera composer Adolphe Adam provided the music for Giselle while Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli served as choreographers.

For so many years, Giselle has been staged by numerous ballet schools in Europe, Russia and North America. Each school tweaked the dance routines to highlight the prowess of their teaching techniques. Each international adaptation incorporated ethnic and regional elements into the ballet to enhance the auditory and visual experience for their audience. Some variations introduced sampling of French, Spanish, Indian and German music while others adhered to a specific theme for the costumes and sets. In summary, every Giselle that came into the limelight was applauded by the fans and critics.

The story of Giselle revolves around the love and death of the titular character who is a peasant girl. Her heart beats for another "peasant" boy, who is in reality is the Duke Albrecht of Silesia. Giselle is loved by Hilarion, a gamekeeper. Hilarion is suspicious of the Duke's disguise and warns Giselle against loving him. Giselle's mother also protects her as Giselle has a weak hurt that will give way upon heartbreak. During the autumn grape-harvesting days in Rhineland, a hunting party of noblemen passes through the village. Among them is Princess Bathilde who is betrothed to the Duke. After the party is brought in refreshments which they sought, Giselle dances for them. Her performance charms Bathilde who presents her with a necklace. Hilarion, however, manages to unearth the Duke's sword and exposes his true identity. Knowing that she will never be with the man she loves, Giselle goes into a fit of grief that takes her life. What ensues is a beautiful tale of redemption, love and forgiveness.

Milwaukee Ballet's performance of Giselle has been choreographed by the renowned artistic director of the ballet school, Michael Pink. After taking the charge in December 2002, he has now become the longest serving artistic director of the Milwaukee Ballet. His theatrical productions have won widespread critical acclaim and his work has been lauded as 'Classical Ballet for the 21st Century'. Among these productions are titles such as The Sleeping Beauty, Esmeralda, Swan Lake, Dracula, Mirror Mirror and La Boheme among others.

Over the years, Pink has collaborated with good friend and composer Philip Feeney to produce a number of hits. These include Don Quixote, Solstice, Strange Meeting, Don't Touch and various works for television and theatre. He has won numerous awards such as the Headliner Award from the Milwaukee Press Club, a Choreography Award from the Wisconsin Dance Council and a nomination for a West End Theatre Award.

For spring 2015, the Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy will be performing Giselle at their resident Uihlein Hall of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The brilliant dancers from the esteemed ballet will include notable names such as Patrick Howell, Luz San Miguel, Marc Petrocci, Nicole Teague, Ryan Martin, Alexander Ferreira and many others. So grab Milwaukee Ballet tickets and enjoy the classic romantic ballet that has been gracing stages worldwide for around two centuries.