The ballet Giselle was written over 170 years ago but is still one of the most popular ballets to be performed around the world. Often seen here in Australia, the magic of a prince in disguise, broken hearts and the Wilis (vengeful spirits) always ensure a sell-out season. I grew up listening to this music and remember being taken as a child to see a production of this glorious ballet. I was spellbound watching the Wilis float out on stage, finding out years later that this was one of the first ballets to utilise pointe shoes and mist to create the effect of floating spectrals.

In this new recording, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is guided by Nicolette Fraillon, music director at the Australian Ballet. I don’t know how many seasons she must have conducted of this ballet but I can imagine it’s quite a few. She guides them through a solid and exacting performance which, as the extra tracks suggest, is perfect for use by ballet schools around Australia in their own performances of the ballet, whole or in part. This probably won’t win any music awards but it is a very satisfying and enjoyable recording of one of the most popular ballets ever written.

Kate Rockstrom