Alberta Ballet's Francesco Ventriglia reimagines Giselle with in-house design and Mediterranean setting
Since taking the artistic director role in early 2024, Ventriglia has created new choreography and sets for the 1841 romantic classic, drawing on his decades performing the ballet around the world.
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Francesco Ventriglia has spent his career chasing Giselle. At 21, he toured globally with Milan's La Scala in a production choreographed by Sylvie Guillem, the Paris Opera Ballet and Royal Ballet star. He performed the role of Hilarion, the lovestruck gamekeeper, in New York and Los Angeles. Over years as a dancer in Milan, he performed nearly every male role in the 1841 romantic classic.
Now, as Alberta Ballet's artistic director since early 2024, Ventriglia is finally putting his own stamp on the ghost-filled story about love and betrayal. His version will debut at the Jubilee Auditorium with entirely new choreography, costume design and sets — all produced in-house by Alberta Ballet staff, marking the first time since his arrival that the company has undertaken a production this way.
"Everything is new, and I'm so proud that everything is made by Alberta Ballet," Ventriglia said. "Since I've been here, this is the first production we are doing this way. The entire set is being produced in-house and (all) costumes are being produced in-house. My team has been phenomenal."
The production will retain the iconic score by Adolphe Adam and remain inspired by the original choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, but Ventriglia is shifting the setting of the first act to a wine-making village on the Mediterranean Sea. "We see the water, the Mediterranean coast, and everything is white stone," he said. "It's really fresh and sunny and beautiful."
Since early 2024, Ventriglia has choreographed new interpretations of La Sylphide, The Wizard of Oz, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliet for Alberta Ballet. The company toured his original creation A Thousand Tales to Dubai in 2025. This Giselle represents his most comprehensive collaboration with the company's design departments.
The details
Who is directing this production of Giselle?
Francesco Ventriglia, Alberta Ballet's artistic director since early 2024, is directing the production. He has spent decades performing in and studying Giselle globally, including touring with La Scala in Milan and performing in New York and Los Angeles.
Where will Giselle be performed?
The production will debut at the Jubilee Auditorium in Alberta.
What is new about this version of Giselle?
Ventriglia has created entirely new choreography, costume design, and sets, all produced in-house by Alberta Ballet staff. The setting of the first act shifts to a wine-making village on the Mediterranean coast, while the iconic score by Adolphe Adam is retained.
