Giselle Venice Tickets 2027

Why see Giselle at Teatro La Fenice

Giselle is the beating heart of the Romantic ballet repertoire. Premiered in Paris in 1841 to a score by Adolphe Adam and a libretto by Théophile Gautier, it follows a fragile peasant girl who falls for a nobleman disguised as a villager. When his betrayal and betrothal to another are revealed, Giselle’s celebrated “mad scene” closes the first act — one of the most wrenching passages in all of dance, where grief unravels into delirium and death.

The second act belongs to the Wilis, the ghostly brides who died before their wedding day and now haunt the moonlit forest, compelling faithless men to dance until they drop. Led by their icy queen Myrtha, these veiled spirits move in hushed, hypnotic unison, while Giselle’s forgiving love shields her repentant Albrecht until dawn. Seeing this Vienna State Ballet (Wiener Staatsballett) staging in the gilded, candle-warm interior of Teatro La Fenice — Venice’s legendary opera house, twice rebuilt from fire — sets one of ballet’s great ghost stories in a theatre steeped in its own drama of ruin and rebirth.

Teatro La Fenice

Giselle Venice — Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does Giselle take place? The performance is staged at Teatro La Fenice, Venice’s historic opera house in the San Marco district. Compare the dates above to find the evening that suits you, and check the listing for the exact start time of your chosen performance.

What can I expect, and is it in a particular language? Giselle is a full-length Romantic ballet danced to Adolphe Adam’s orchestral score — the story is told entirely through movement and mime, so there is no sung or spoken text and no language barrier. Expect two acts: a sunlit village drama followed by the ethereal moonlit realm of the Wilis, performed here by the Vienna State Ballet.

How do I get to Teatro La Fenice? Venice has no cars, so you arrive on foot or by water. The nearest vaporetto (water-bus) stops are Santa Maria del Giglio and Rialto, both a short walk from the theatre through the lanes of San Marco. Allow extra time, as Venice’s alleys and bridges are easy to get pleasantly lost in.

Giselle at La Fenice Opera House Tickets 2027

Buy Giselle tickets at La Fenice Opera House and experience one of the defining works of romantic ballet performed by the prestigious Wiener Staatsballett.

Five performances are scheduled from May 12 to 16, 2027, with the dancers accompanied by the La Fenice Orchestra under conductor Paul Connelly. The production uses Elena Tchernichova’s celebrated choreography, created for the Viennese company and developed from the historic versions by Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa.

Choose your preferred performance and secure your Giselle La Fenice tickets before the most desirable stalls and central box seats become limited.

Giselle performed by the Wiener Staatsballett

The Wiener Staatsballett brings one of its historic signature productions to Venice under the leadership of company director Alessandra Ferri.

Elena Tchernichova created this version of Giselle for the Vienna company in 1993. It has since become an important part of its repertoire and has been presented by major international opera houses.

The staging respects the traditions of nineteenth-century romantic ballet while placing particular emphasis on dramatic expression, elegant line and the technical purity of the choreography.

For ballet lovers visiting Venice, the opportunity to see the Wiener Staatsballett inside the intimate auditorium of La Fenice makes this one of the most attractive dance events of the 2026/27 season.

The story of Giselle

Giselle is a young village woman who falls in love with Albrecht, unaware that he is a nobleman already promised to another woman.

Albrecht disguises himself as a common villager to court her, but the deception is exposed by Hilarion, who also loves Giselle. Overwhelmed by betrayal and emotional shock, Giselle dies at the end of the first act.

The second act moves into a supernatural forest inhabited by the Wilis, the spirits of young women who died before their weddings. Led by their queen Myrtha, they force any man they encounter to dance until death.

When Albrecht visits Giselle’s grave, she protects him from the Wilis. Her love becomes an act of forgiveness, giving the ballet its moving and unforgettable conclusion.

A landmark of romantic ballet

Giselle received its world premiere in Paris in 1841, with original choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot.

Elena Tchernichova’s production also incorporates important revisions associated with Marius Petipa, whose work helped shape the ballet as it is known today.

The contrast between the two acts is central to Giselle. The opening village scenes are filled with colour, celebration and human emotion, while the second act creates a pale, dreamlike world dominated by the Wilis.

This transformation demands both dramatic acting and precise classical technique from the dancers, particularly in the title role.

Music by Adolphe Adam

The score by Adolphe Adam is one of the best-known works in the romantic ballet repertoire.

Its recurring musical themes connect the characters and emotional developments throughout the story. The first act moves between lively village dances and increasingly dramatic confrontations, while the second creates an ethereal atmosphere for the supernatural scenes.

The production also includes Friedrich Burgmüller’s Peasant Pas de Deux, traditionally inserted into the first act to provide an additional showcase for featured dancers.

The La Fenice Orchestra will perform the score live under conductor Paul Connelly.

Elena Tchernichova’s production

The production is distinguished by its restrained visual palette.

The scenery and backgrounds use shades of grey, white and black, allowing the dancers’ costumes and movements to stand out clearly. This design directs attention towards the expressive detail of the choreography rather than relying on excessive decoration.

The artistic team includes:

Choreography and direction: Elena Tchernichova
Company: Wiener Staatsballett
Company director: Alessandra Ferri
Conductor: Paul Connelly
Orchestra: Teatro La Fenice

The result combines the traditions of romantic ballet with the refined performance style of one of Europe’s leading dance companies.

Choosing your Giselle performance

Evening performances begin at 7:00 PM on May 12, 13 and 14.

The performances on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16 begin at 3:30 PM, offering convenient afternoon alternatives for visitors who prefer to keep the evening available.

All five dates present the Wiener Staatsballett production with live accompaniment by the La Fenice Orchestra.

Choosing seats at La Fenice

For ballet, a clear view of the full stage is particularly important because formations, entrances and ensemble movement extend across the entire performance area.

The stalls offer the most direct overall perspective. Central boxes combine a traditional La Fenice experience with a balanced stage view, while lateral boxes may provide a more angled or partially restricted perspective.

Central stalls or front seats in centrally positioned boxes should provide the strongest overall experience for Giselle.

Buy Giselle La Fenice tickets

Book your Giselle at La Fenice Opera House tickets and watch the Wiener Staatsballett perform one of the world’s most beautiful and enduring ballets in Venice.

Select your preferred date and seating category before completing your reservation. Advance booking provides a wider choice of seats and views.

Secure your Giselle La Fenice tickets and experience this romantic ballet masterpiece live in Venice in May 2027.