UCT Symphony Orchestra to Perform at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town City Ballet’s Giselle
By Nonku Mncube
The University of Cape Town’s Symphony Orchestra (UCTSO), led by Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Brandon Phillips, will collaborate with Cape Town City Ballet for the first time with the classic ballet Giselle. The ballet will run at the Artscape Theatre from Saturday, 8 March to Sunday, 16 March. Five performances will feature the UCTSO. There will be two performances featuring recorded music on 9 and 12 March.
Giselle, originally titled, Giselle, ou les Wilis (or the Wilis), is a two-act romantic ballet featuring music by 19th-century French composer Adolphe Adam. The ghost-filled ballet is a haunting tragedy about love, grief, and forgiveness. Giselle, a young peasant girl, falls in love with a nobleman, Albrecht, who disguises his identity. However, when his true identity is uncovered by his rival, Hilarion, Giselle goes mad and dies of a broken heart.
In the second act, Giselle is summoned by the Wilis, the ghosts of unmarried women who died of heartbreak and enact revenge on men by dancing them to death. The Wilis attempt to lead Albrecht to his death, but Giselle’s love saves him in the end.
Varsity was able to attend a final dress rehearsal last night, wherein the constant collaboration between the dancers and orchestra was evident. In Act 1, the rehearsal briefly paused as Hannah Ward, playing Giselle, worked with Phillips to refine the tempo for the peasant variation, ensuring the music aligned perfectly with her hops en pointe. After settling on the ideal pace, the rehearsal continued seamlessly.
Kirstel Paterson and Luesson Muniz will be playing Giselle and Albrecht on opening night. Audiences can look forward to a truly moving and haunting performance, enhanced by the UCTSO, under the brilliant direction of Phillips.
Tickets can be purchased on Webtickets.