5 ballets to bring you to tears

The Romantic-era ballet, originally choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot in 1841 tells a tragic tale of the young peasant girl Giselle, who deceived by her lover Albrecht, dies of heartbreak.

Based on a poem by Heinrich Heine, Giselle references Slavic folklore with the characters of the Wilis, ethereal female spirits who were betrayed by their lovers and now seek revenge. Existing between reality and the afterlife, Giselle becomes a Wili after her death caused by Albrecht’s deception. However, instead of dancing him to death as the Wilis command her to do, Giselle protects Albrecht, saving his life and redeeming him with her selfless act.

A pure and innocent maiden? Check.

Dashing Prince? Check.

Evil Sorcerer? Check.

The iconic Swan Lake has all the elements of a fairytale romance. Trapped under a spell by the wicked sorcerer Rothbart, Princess Odette is forced to live as a swan. It is only at night, by the side of the enchanted lake that Odette can take on her human form.

When the idealistic Prince Siegfried encounters Odette, he is immediately enamoured and promises to break the spell and free her from Rothbart. However, Rothbart tricks Siegfried into vowing his love for his daughter Odile, who he has disguised to look like Odette. Distraught at this betrayal, Odette is condemned to live forever as a swan or die. She chooses death with Prince Siegfried following her into the afterlife.

The 1731 French novel Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux, et de Manon Lescaut became the basis of the ballet Manon, first in 1830 by Jean-Louis Aumer and then again in 1974 by Sir Kenneth MacMillan. The highly emotive narrative of the peasant girl Manon and her true love Chevalier des Grieux is emphasised through the ballet’s passionate choreography. Manon is a tale of yearning, mixed in with opportunity, as the penniless Manon chooses between true love or opulent luxury. Ultimately undone by her desire for wealth, Manon is sent to New Orleans as a criminal.

Finally realising her error, Manon abandons her previous mercenary ambitions and chooses love. Reunited in the swamps of Louisiana, Manon dies in the arms of des Grieux as they try to escape their captors.

Over 400 years old and it’s the tragic story of star-crossed lovers that continues to infiltrate every sector of culture. From books, to television, stage to screen, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the tragic love story. What else can compare to the teenage lovers from feuding families who through mistake and misfortune make the ultimate sacrifice and die in each other’s arms?

Over the years, different choreographers have tried their hand at taking on the Bard’s tragic tale including Sergei Prokofiev, Frederick Ashton, John Cranko, Keneth MacMillan and John Neumeier to name only a few. If you’re looking to experience the love story that inspired countless others look no further. “For never was a story of more woe. Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (Prince, Act 5 Scene 3).

The most recent addition to The Australian Ballet’s repertoire, the first ever queer love story to take centre stage in classical ballet. Oscar© by Christopher Wheeldon is based on author Oscar Wilde’s life, including his conviction for “gross indecency” (a law that criminalised sexual activity between men from 1885* to 1967** in the British Empire). Taking elements from some of Wilde’s most famous literary works, Wheeldon weaves in the writers’ real-life loves with heartbreakingly tender choreography and passionate pas de deux not normally performed by two male dancers.

What’s more, the poignant way in which Wheeldon references how art imitates life and life inspires art is reminder that while mortality has an ending, great art will live on forever.

*Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
** Section 13 Sexual Offences Act 1967 (c. 60)