The Northwest Florida Ballet takes the stage at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin to perform Giselle, one of the oldest continually performed ballets dating back to Paris in 1841. Giselle is a free, outdoor performance presented as part of Grand Boulevard’s Coastal Culture series, made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program.

Staged by NFB Ballet Mistress Dorothy Daniels Lister with choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, Giselle tells the story of a peasant girl who dies of a broken heart after discovering Albrecht, her lover, is betrothed to another. The Wilis, a group of supernatural women who dance men to death, summon Giselle from her grave. They target her lover for death, but Giselle’s great love frees him from their grasp.

Led by Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis, they gain their power in numbers as they effortlessly move through dramatic patterns and synchronized movements controlling the stage with their long tulle dresses and stoic expressions. Giselle finds forgiveness in her heart for Albrecht, but she knows the Wilis will not do the same. Natalia Ashikhmina, current principal with the Louisville Ballet and former Russian National Ballet prima ballerina, will dance the role of Giselle. Albrecht will be danced by Darren McIntyre formerly with The Australian Ballet. The “living scenery” for this exquisite production will be provided by Clay Garden & Gifts.