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The Boston Ballet’s Production of Giselle – Boston, Massachusetts

By Claudette Millette

Real Estate Agent with The Buyers' Counsel

October 10, 2009 03:32 PM

One of the best parts of life in Metrowest Massachusetts is that it is a mere 30 minute drive to some of the best cultural venues available.

Last night, I attended the Boston Ballet's performance of Giselle. It is currently playing at the grand and majestic Opera House in Boston's theater district.

Set to Adolphe Adam's score, Giselle is the crowning achievement of the Romantic era of ballet. The ballet had its world premiere in Paris on June 28, 1841 and has gone on to become one of the classics of all time.

Set in the Rhineland in the Middle Ages, the story features is a naïve and impressionable peasant girl name Giselle who lives in the village. Duke Albrecht, a nobleman, disguises himself as a peasant in order to sow a few wild oats before his impending royal marriage. His flirtations with the peasant Giselle leads her to fall uncontrollably in love with him.

Much like the story of Romeo and Juliet, this one results in the death of the heroin. However; in this tale, she arises to confront the painful situation that has caused her demise.

Some of the most beautiful dancing in this ballet occurs in the second act as the Wilis, female spirits who were all jilted before their own wedding days, rise from their graves to seek justice on men by dancing them to their own early deaths. The supernatural aspect of this act gives rise to some eerie albeit effective choreography and culminates in an emotional ending.

Giselle opened on October 1 and will continue through to with its final performance on October 11.

The Boston Ballet season runs until the end of the May 2010.

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Jane Peters

Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Great review and the fact that you tie it in to living in Metrowest Boston. Maybe there will be a rock ballet playing soon :)

Oct 11, 2009 03:55 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Jane:

That would be splendid! I'd be the first one there.

Oct 11, 2009 03:59 AM

Kate Bourland

Marketing with Kate - Redding, CA

Onlilne Marketing Mobile Marketing

Claudette, I've never been to Boston. It's on one of those must visit places for me. I too love musical productions. I'm closing my eyes and pretending that I was there.

Oct 11, 2009 08:35 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Hi, Kate:

If you are going to come, you should make it now when the leaves are beautiful and not much later. It will soon be too cold for a California girl to be comfortable in.

Oct 11, 2009 09:24 AM

Steve Shatsky

Dallas, TX

Hi Claudette... When I lived in NYC, one of my friends was a Ballet Choreographer with his own company. I used to love going to their performances. Ballet is so artisitic and beautiful. As a humorous side note, my friend the choreographer is now the Dance Reviewer for the New York Post and recently had to interview Tom DeLay because of his involvement on Dancing With the Stars... he was very amused by that.

Oct 11, 2009 09:42 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Steve:

Amused? He was probably horrified! Did you see that performance? I caught a clip of it on the news. My, my...

You are so nice to stop by, Steve. I was thinking that I would probably have no men commenting on this post. It is nice to hear that you have an appreciation of ballet from having known your friend. Thanks so much for your thoughts.

Oct 11, 2009 11:03 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Okay Claudette-I'm stopping by to prove you wrong twice (sort of). I've seen the "Nutcracker" and that's about it for me and Ballet. Not that I don't recognize the skill and dedication required to perform and I do love Tchaikovsky.

Most Plays tend to put me to sleep too...I think I am deficient of whatever gene is necessary to truly enjoy "higher forms of art". Not exactly true because I could spend days in just about any museum of art.

I'm going back into my box now.

Oct 11, 2009 01:29 PM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Claudette - such wonderful things available to the public in your area!

Oct 11, 2009 02:00 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Hi, Nick:

Thanks so much for coming out from your box to address this. (Only my second male commenter on this post.) I do appreciate hearing from you.

The Nutcracker is a fabulous story and ballet but it is really for children. It is the first ballet that mothers take their little girls to get them interested in the genre. If you want to see a an exciting production catch "Romeo and Juliet" or "Swan Lake." Okay, you probably wouldn't like those either, but at least you would be giving it a real shot with those stories.

I'll bet your genes are just fine. Anyone who likes art museums is okay in my book!

Hi, Judi:

Yes, before I lived here, I spent 10 years in San Francisco. So, I guess I am a bit spoiled with the availabilty of these wonderful events. But, every area has its qualities and I am sure that there is much that is special about Oklahoma. In fact, "Oklahoma" was one of the best musical productions of all times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpNeHMlJiD4

Shirley Jones and Gordon Macrea - Great stuff!

Oct 11, 2009 03:35 PM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Claudette, I did take my daughter to the "Nutcracker" when she was very young and she did end up taking ballet for a couple of years. As for "Romeo and Juliet" or "Swan Lake"...we'll see??? But I need to warn you that I fell asleep through the Chicago production of "Phantom of the Opera" so I don't think there is much hope for me, but thanks for the suggestion.

Oct 12, 2009 10:53 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Nick:

That is wonderful that your daughter took some ballet. Dance is great for little girls to experience even if they don't continue with it. I think it helps to develop poise and agility. Then, she can go out and play soccer (or whatever else she wants to do!)

I am convinced that there is hope for you, Nick; however, if you fell asleep during the "Phantom of the Opera" you must have been pretty tired. That's a lively production.

Oct 12, 2009 02:08 PM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Claudette, in my defense, it was a very long day before the play...at the end of a longer week plus an hour and a half train ride into the city. I'm not complaining though, Chicago is a great city and if you get the chance to see anything at the Auditorium Theater...take it. I've seen Sammy Davis Jr. there in "Golden Boy" and many concerts in my younger years and managed to stay awake.

Oct 12, 2009 03:09 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Nick:

I knew there must have been a reason...

Yes, Chicago is a great city. It has so much to offer. Sammy Davis, Jr. - I can just imagine. That must have been wonderful.

Oct 13, 2009 03:54 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Claudette, of course there have been many great performers that I had the opportunity to see, but Sammy Davis, Jr. is a stand out.

Oct 13, 2009 02:09 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Nick:

He must have been outstanding. I think he was one of the great entertainers of all time.

Last year I saw a production called "The Rat Pack" which was a re-enactment of all four of those performers, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Lawford. It was produced by David Cassidy (formerly of the Partridge Family) and also had a surprise visit from Bobby Darrin. It was great nostalgia and the performers who did it were excellent. It played at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Oct 13, 2009 03:17 PM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Claudette, I just googled the "Mohegan Sun", that's quite a nice place and there's a Casino too!! Love the Casino's; the "Craps" and "Black Jack" tables are where I get my Vegas tan!!

Okay, I'll leave you alone now I've monopolized enough of your time, thanks for taking the time to talk.

Oct 14, 2009 04:41 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Hi, Nick:

The Mohegan Sun is a Casino, first, entertainment later. I don't gamble (nothing moral here - I just don't enjoy it.) I have liked going to the Mohegan Sun because they have had quite a bit of entertainment. And, we know how much I like that! It's a beautiful place too. Millions of dollars were spent putting together a very lavish environment and things like that are just fun to see.

Oct 14, 2009 05:33 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Claudette, don't get me wrong, I'm not a heavy gambler and certainly don't have a problem. But for me the "Craps" table is a lot of fun. For an evening or two you can get to know people from all over the country and world for that matter. It's loud, friendly and before you leave the game everyone knows your name or by a nickname they have given you. The first time I visited Vegas was on a road trip to California. My cousin and a good friend of ours (in our late teens) played "Craps" & "Black Jack", our friend broke even, I won a couple of hundred and my cousin was supported the rest of the trip. Memories I wouldn't trade for anything.

Oct 14, 2009 06:11 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Nick:

Please, you don't have to explain that. As I said, no moral reason on my part, I just don't personally enjoy it. I know a lot of people who do. It can be great fun for an evening out. (I'm also not any good at it - which cuts down on the fun.) If you have seen the movie "Casino" you know that the house is stacked against the players. But, then, again that is just that film's point of view.

My favorite movie about gambling was called "Rounders" with Matt Damon and Edward Norton. It was quite fascinating. (Also, John Malkovitch was in that film playing one his great bad guy characters.)

Oct 14, 2009 08:42 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Claudette, understood.

Yes, I did see "Casino" several times and yes the odds are in favor of the house...that's why the house is so big, lavish, and does everything they can to get you in the door.

I did not see "Rounders" but just went out to YouTube to see the trailer. I like all the actors and yes Malkovitch plays a great bad guy. It looks like a good flick and I do plan on seeing it. Thanks for the tip.

Oct 14, 2009 03:35 PM