The Most Beautiful Giselle Seen Today: Park Se-eun
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
Park Se-eun, the first Asian étoile (principal dancer) of Paris Opera Ballet, stars in a revival of Patrice Bart’s staging of the romantic ballet Giselle with Korea’s National Ballet at Seoul Arts Center. Giselle, first premiered in Paris in 1841, tells the tragic love story of a peasant girl who dies of heartbreak when she learns her lover, disguised as a nobleman, is already engaged. The second act features 24 wilis (spirits of betrayed maidens) who force men to dance to death in one of ballet’s great ‘ballet blanc’ scenes. Park—who made her Paris debut in Giselle while pregnant and recently performed the role in Paris to rave reviews—returns to Korea to perform the role domestically for the first time, praised for her ethereal presence and near-supernatural jumps. The cast also includes leading National Ballet principals Park Seul-gi and Jo Yeon-jae. Performances run through the 16th; tickets 10,000–120,000 won.
