Synopsis of the Story

Act 1 - Where the Story Begins

During the grape harvest in the Rhineland, Count Albrecht disguises himself as a peasant to court the gentle Giselle, unaware she has a weak heart. Though betrothed to the noblewoman Bathilde, Albrecht wins Giselle’s love. When a hunting party arrives in the village, Albrecht’s true identity is revealed by the jealous gamekeeper Hilarion. Devastated by the betrayal, Giselle descends into madness and dies of heartbreak.

Act II - Where We Pick Up
Late at night, Hilarion mourns at Giselle’s grave but is driven away by the Wilis—ghostly spirits of betrayed maidens who died of broken hearts. Led by their merciless queen, Myrtha, the Wilis haunt the forest, forcing any man they encounter to dance until death.
Myrtha summons Giselle’s spirit and inducts her into the Wilis before vanishing into the forest. Albrecht arrives to grieve at Giselle’s grave, and her spirit appears. He begs her forgiveness, which she gently grants, her love unchanged. When the Wilis discover Hilarion, they force him to dance until he collapses and drown him in a nearby lake.
The Wilis then seize Albrecht and condemn him to the same fate. Myrtha ignores both his pleas and Giselle’s. As dawn approaches, Giselle’s love sustains Albrecht, protecting him from the Wilis’ power. At sunrise, the spirits return to their graves. Freed from vengeance, Giselle bids Albrecht a final farewell before returning to her grave, released to rest in peace.