Giselle: The many transformations of Albrecht
Osias Barroso Jr. was Ballet Manila’s first Albrecht, partnering Lisa Macuja Elizalde who was the company’s first Giselle. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
Russian danseur Nikolai Legat, student of the famed choreographer Marius Petipa, played Albrecht opposite Olga Preobrazhenskaya as Giselle in 1899.
It is one of the most coveted roles in classical ballet. Very few remember, however, that the male lead of Giselle was originally named Albert, Duke of Silesa, rather than Count Albrecht. It is unclear when the change was made and why it was necessary. What is certain, though, is that the role is one of the most emotionally intense choreographies ever created for a danseur.
It is no secret that the ballet Giselle was created to showcase Paris Opera’s rising star, Carlotta Grisi. Thus, everything about it – from the story to the characters, the sets, the costumes, and the music – were carefully curated to highlight the ballerina. That included the selection of Lucien Petipa to partner Carlotta.
The French danseur was among the most sought-after of his generation. He was the brother of danseur and ballet master Marius Petipa. Jean Coralli, who co-choreographed the ballet with Jules Perrot, immediately turned to him for the job. Like Giselle for Carlotta, Albert, Duke of Silesa, was a role especially created for Lucien.
The ballet begins with a giddy young Duke disguising himself as a peasant. He falls head over heels in love with Giselle. Never mind that he is betrothed to Bathilde. Smitten, he looks forward to spending time with his new love. But when he finds himself literally in the middle of Giselle and Bathilde, he chooses the latter along with his true station in life. Giselle dies of heartbreak and by the second act, we see an emotionally scarred Albrecht, crushed by the weight of the consequences of his actions.
Ballet Manila principal dancer Mark Sumaylo, making his debut as Albrecht in 2019, is about to lay flowers at Giselle’s grave. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
Vaslav Nijinsky was among the ballet legends who danced as the conflicted Albrecht.
Apart from the name, the role of Albrecht has undergone many changes through the years. The most notable is the personality of the character. He was originally written as a kind-hearted nobleman who falls madly in love with Giselle despite his engagement to Bathilde. But in the 20th century stagings, he was sometimes portrayed as deceitful – toying with Giselle’s feelings rather than being truly in love with her.
At some point, Albrecht was being presented as a villain in the love triangle with Giselle and Hilarion. The latter would gain the sympathy of the audience when portrayed as the loyal suitor. He was with Giselle from the beginning and warned Giselle of Albrecht’s dishonesty.
Apart from Lucien, his brother Marius also took on the role of Albrecht and was responsible for the stagings that have become the basis for today’s versions. Other Albrechts include Christian Johansson, Samuil Andrianov, Pierre Vladimirov, Nikolai Legat, Vaslav Nijinsky, Artemy Belyakov and Sergei Vikulov.
For Ballet Manila, the late Osias Barroso Jr. was the first danseur to take on the role of Albrecht for the company.
Albrecht (Arnulfo Andrade Jr.) is forced to dance by the wilis in Ballet Manila’s 2012 production of Giselle. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
“For me, Albrecht is the best in the male repertoire because it’s a combination of technique and emotions. It’s very dramatic, so you have to give more onstage, in acting and dancing. Giselle is like Chopiniana, ang pure niya talaga. It takes a certain kind of dancer to learn and perform it,” he once said.
BM has since unveiled many Albrechts including Jeffrey Espejo, Rudy De Dios, Nazer Salgado, Arnulfo Andrade, Elpidio Magat Jr., Romeo Peralta Jr. and Mark Sumaylo.
Mark, who debuted as Albrecht in the full-length Giselle in 2019, reprises the role in Ballet Manila’s latest staging of the classic.
A repentant Albrecht, portrayed by Rudy De Dios, seeks forgiveness from Giselle (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) in this scene from Ballet Manila’s 2010 staging. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
