GREAT PERFORMANCES: LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE: GISELLE (TV)
Summary
One in this series on the performing arts. In this program -- one in a series of live broadcasts from the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City -- American Ballet Theatre performs "Giselle." Host Dick Cavett introduces the production. Act I begins; a villager named Hilarion is in love with a peasant girl, Giselle. Hilarion's rival, Count Albrecht, disguises himself as a peasant so he too can pursue Giselle. When Albrecht's ruse is discovered, Giselle dies of a broken heart. In the intermission, Cavett interviews dancer Erik Bruhn. Bruhn explains the importance of a good dancer in the role of Albrecht and talks about the complexity of the Giselle character. He describes the very different styles of Act I and II in this ballet. He also reflects on comparisons made about this story and the play "Hamlet." Lastly, Bruhn talks about his experience playing Albrecht in the past. In Act II, Giselle comes to life as a Wili. The Wilis, led by Queen Myrta, are maiden ghosts who force men to dance to their deaths. Hilarion meets his demise when the Wilis have their way with him. Albrecht, on the other hand, dances with Giselle until dawn, at which point she returns to her grave.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Edward John Noble Foundation.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: June 2, 1977 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:58:48
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:72423
- GENRE: Music; Dance
- SUBJECT HEADING: Ballet
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1976-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Blair … Producer
- John Goberman … Producer
- Lucia Chase … Director, for American Ballet Theatre
- Oliver Smith … Director, for American Ballet Theatre
- Robert Schwarz … Director
- Christopher Porterfield … Writer
- Adolphe Adam … Music by
- John Lanchbery … Conductor
- Jean Coralli … Choreographer
- Jules Perrot … Choreographer
- Dick Cavett … Host
- Martin Bookspan … Announcer
- American Ballet Theatre … Dance Company
- Natalia Makarova … Cast, Giselle, Dancer
- Mikhail Baryshnikov … Cast, Albrecht, Dancer
- Van Hamel, Martine … Cast, Myrta, Dancer
- Frank Smith … Dancer
- Marianna Tcherkassky … Dancer
- Kirk Peterson … Dancer
- Ruth Mayer … Dancer
- Berthica Prieto … Dancer
- Alexander Minz … Dancer
- De La Pena, George … Dancer
- Nanette Glushak … Dancer
- Jolinda Menendez … Dancer
- Richard Schafer … Dancer
- Elizabeth Ashton … Dancer
- Carmen Barth … Dancer
- Michelle Benash … Dancer
- Nancy Collier … Dancer
- Fanchon Cordell … Dancer
- Cynthia Gast … Dancer
- Meg Gordon … Dancer
- Aurea Hammerli … Dancer
- Cynthia Harvey … Dancer
- Alina Hernandez … Dancer
- Anne Jackson … Dancer
- Susan Jones … Dancer
- Francia Kovac … Dancer
- Elaine Kudo … Dancer
- Lisa Lockwood … Dancer
- Sara Maule … Dancer
- Catheryn Rhodes … Dancer
- Lisa Rinehart … Dancer
- Maia Rosal … Dancer
- Janet Shibata … Dancer
- Kristine Solery … Dancer
- Christine Warner … Dancer
- Patricia Wesche … Dancer
- Sandall Whitaker … Dancer
- Cheryl Yeager … Dancer
- Victor Barbel … Dancer
- Peter Fonseca … Dancer
- Rodney Gustafson … Dancer
- Roman Jasinski … Dancer
- Eric Nesbitt … Dancer
- Gregory Osborne … Dancer
- Miguel Sanchez … Dancer
- Raymond Serrano … Dancer
- Erik Bruhn … Dancer