New director, new 'Giselle': Korea's top ballet company begins next chapter
Smoke rose from the chimney of Giselle’s cottage in a rural village as the curtain went up. The opening scene revived a stage detail that had appeared in the Korean National Ballet’s 2011 premiere of the French choreographer Patrice Bart’s (1945-2025) version of “Giselle,” but had since been dropped. Other subtle changes were evident in the latest production — the company’s first regular…
Smoke billowed from the chimney of Giselle's cottage in a rural village as the curtain rose for the Korean National Ballet's latest production. The opening scene reintroduced a stage detail that had been absent since the 2011 premiere of Patrice Bart's version of "Giselle." This production marked the company's first regular performance following the appointment of Kim Joo-won as their new director and artistic director in August.
The poster, which had previously showcased full-length portraits of Giselle, was replaced with a design emphasizing her upper body. This change, along with other subtle adjustments, signaled the company's intention to reevaluate their familiar repertoire through a new lens.
One of the most striking aspects of this "Giselle" was the bold choice to cast dancers in roles they had never performed before. Out of the 11 dancers who portrayed Giselle and Albrecht across seven performances, six were making their debut in these iconic roles. This daring approach aimed to breathe fresh life into the classic ballet, while still maintaining its essence and charm.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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