Giselle - or the Wilis

Aug 2, 2026

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Giselle is a widely loved ballet created over a century ago by the poet Théophile Gautier, presenting a bittersweet story shaped by love, death, and dance. The narrative text in this volume adapts Gautier’s later writing, bringing the ballet story to readers through Violette Verdy’s translation and adaptation. Marcia Brown’s illustrations reflect close study of rehearsals, movement, sets, costumes, and music, evoking the Romantic age and creating a compelling storybook experience for audiences across generations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages64

Reading Time1 h 39 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Origins of the ballet

Gautier’s narrative adaptation

Heine’s inspiration and opening letter

0R0SI0 GISELLE or THE WILIS Adapted from Theophile Gautierby VIOLETTE VERDYJllustrated by Marcia Brown GISELLE or THE WILIS Adapted from Theophile Gautier by VIOLETTE VERDY Jllustrated by Marcia Brown Giselle is possibly the best-loved of the world'sballets.Created over 125 years ago by theFrench poet Théophile Gautier,its bittersweetstory of love,death and the dance has movedaudiences of all ages,in every corner of theworld. After Giselle's premiere in 1840,Gautierpublished its story in narrative form,describ-ing the ballet as only a poet can.It is his text,translated and adapted by a distinguishedGiselle of our own day,that is presented inthis volume. Marcia Brown has seen many Giselles,sketching rehearsals,studying the dancers'movements,the decor,the costumes,and eventhe music.Her unique collaboration withViolette Verdy has produced a haunting evo-cation of the Romantic age as well as a com-pelling storybook. McGraw-Hill Book Companty 330 West 42nd Street New Pork,N.D.10036 Giselle GISELLE or THE WILIS ldapted from Theophile Gautierby VIOLETTE VERDY Jllustrated byMarcia Brown McGraw-Hill Book Company NEW YORK ST.LOUIS SAN FRANCISCO DUSSELDORFLONDON MEXICO PANAMA SYDNEY TORONTO To the dancers who have made Giselle live Text copyright 1970 by Violette Verdy and illustrations copyright 1970 byMarcia Brown.All Rights Reserved.Printed in the United States of America.Nopart of this publication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system,or trans-mitted,in any form or by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,record-ing,or otherwise,without the prior written permission of the publisher.Library of Congress Catalog Card Number:74-1072991234567890 MUEC7876543210 798,.8 r 2为 3 1L-88- # Foreword The ballet of Giselle was first performed in Paris,in1841.The scenario,by the poet Théophile Gautier andthe librettist Jules de Saint-Georges,was based on afolk tradition mentioned in the writings of the Germanpoet H.Heine.The ballet,with choreography by Cor-alli and music by Adolphe Adam,was an instant suc-cess.Shortly before the premiere,Gautier acknowl-edged his debt to Heine in a charming open letter.In alater article,Gautier described Giselle in full detail forthe benefit of the reading public.The following text isan adaptation of that article.The original French textmay be found in Gautier's Les Beautés de L'Opera,acollection of writings covering twenty-five years oftheater life in Paris. JISGARE 71.075 Bright School My dear Henri Heine,while leafing through your beautiful book,de 1'Allemagne,a few weeks ago,J came across a charmingpassage(one has merely to open the volume at random).Jtwas the passage in which you speak of white-robed elveswhose hems are always damp,of water nymphs who leavetraces of their little satin feet on the ceiling of the nuptialchamber,of wilis as pale as snow,those unpitying waltzers,and of all the delicious apparitions that you have met in theHartz mountains and on the banks of the Jlse in the velvetymist of German moonlight—andJ said out loud,"What apretty ballet one might make of that!"

FAQs

When was Giselle first performed and where?

Giselle was first performed in Paris in 1841.

What sources inspired the ballet’s scenario?

The scenario was based on a folk tradition mentioned in the writings of the German poet Heinrich Heine.

What is the role of Violette Verdy and Marcia Brown in this volume?

Violette Verdy provides the adapted and translated text, while Marcia Brown creates illustrations through detailed observation of rehearsals, movement, decor, costumes, and music.

Aug 2, 2026

Upload by Quinn