DR vixmom, I have seen that Midsomer Murders episode several times now, so I decided to pass and instead I watched a production of the great romantic ballet Giselle, which I still think is a really stupid ballet. This was a production by the National Ballet of Canada, starring Karen Kain. The dancing was great, but here's the plot:
Albrecht, some Duke or Prince in the middle ages, loves a peasant girl Giselle, who lives in some village, so he pretends to be a peasant and lives in a huty close to Giselle's humble home. The hunter Hilarion loves Giselle and hates Albrecht. The royal court on a hunting frolic comes to this village for a break. Albrecht hids fgrom them but Hilarion sneaks in the hut and finds proof of Albrecht;s deception. Giselle dances for the court and a nice lady named Berthe gives her a trinket. Hilarion reveals the truth of Albrecht's identity, and evewn worse, he's Berthe's husband or finacee! Giselle goes mad and kills herself.
So far so good.
Act Two takes place at midnight at Giselle's grave in the spooky forest. Because midnight seems a perfectly logical time to take flowers to a tomb, both Hilarion and Albrecht show up, but therew's a problem. The forest is haunted by Wilis, the ghosts of young gierls who have killed themselves, and there are lot in this vicinity, led a queen, of all things. They have assembled to welcome a new ghost: Giselle! Anyone surprised?
The Wilis catch Hilarion and dance him to death, but Giselle still loves Albrecht and begsthe queen to spare his lifew. They do, morning comes, and hew's all alone.
For a ghost story, it really sucks.
