New Zealand ballet "Giselle" haunts Beijing (3)

The ballet tells the story of a peasant girl named Giselle, who has a passion for dancing. When she realises the man she loves is a duke, but is engaged to someone else, Giselle dies of a broken heart. After her death, her spirit still guards over her lover.

Gillian Murphy and Chinese native Qi Huan were a big draw for Wednesday night’s performance, with every seat in the house taken. The Asian-American combination gave a convincing portrayal of Giselle and her lover Albrecht. The effortless leaps and twirls by the two leads won rapturous applause from the Beijing crowd. Critics have praised the work, with some calling it one of the finest in the ballet’s history.

Qi Huan majored in ballet at the China Dance Academy. After working for a time as a ballet teacher, in 2004 he was offered a place with the New Zealand Ballet. The dancer has found fame in his new home country, with images of him even printed on local postcards.

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