Giselle
A story of love, betrayal, and redemption.
Ballet de Barcelona presents a powerful new interpretation of the romantic classic Giselle — a timeless story that explores innocence, madness, and the power of forgiveness.
Reimagined by Leandro Sanabria Pérez, this version draws inspiration from the Cuban interpretive tradition made legendary by Alicia Alonso and the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
This Giselle honors the structure and purity of the original masterpiece while infusing it with the dramatic warmth, precision, and emotional immediacy that define the Cuban school of ballet.
Through this lens, Giselle becomes both a tribute and a transformation — a dialogue between heritage and innovation, passion and restraint.
Under the artistic direction of Chase Johnsey, Giselle takes on new life — where dance becomes the language of the soul, and every gesture carries a story beyond words.
Artistic Team
Artistic/Executive Director: Chase Johnsey
Production Coordinator: Ricardo Bravo Sandoval
Technical Director: Adrià de Francisco
Audio/Visual Technician: Marc Cuoto
Choreography and Reimagining: Leandro Sanabria Pérez
Ballet Masters: Chase Johnsey
Set Design: Matt Deely, in collaboration with Big Image
Set Construction: Big Image, Ryan Godwin
Lighting Design: Chase Johnsey
Costume Design: Anarosa Ramos, Carles Solé
Props: Óscar Fabres
Stage Direction: Chase Johnsey
About the Production
In this reinterpretation, Giselle transcends its 19th-century roots to speak directly to the modern heart.
Through a distinctly Cuban-inspired lens, movement becomes both storytelling and catharsis — blending the technical rigor of classical ballet with the expressive soul of Latin passion.
The scenography, designed by Matt Deely in collaboration with Big Image, gives a modern upgrade to traditional ballet aesthetics.
Using digitally printed sets, this production achieves a fresh and sophisticated visual world — preserving the romantic spirit of Giselle while enhancing it with vivid depth, texture, and light.
The costumes, created by Anarosa Ramos and Carles Solé, maintain the romantic essence of the ballet while introducing a vibrant color palette that harmonizes beautifully with the sets.
Every detail reflects the creative vision of Chase Johnsey, marking his second full-length classical production. Beyond directing, Johnsey oversaw all aspects of the staging — including lighting design, sound engineering, rehearsal direction, and executive production — ensuring a cohesive and emotionally immersive experience.
Ballet de Barcelona invites audiences to rediscover Giselle not merely as a ballet, but as a profound reflection on love, loss, and the redemptive power of grace.