Giselle - Myrtha Queen of the Willis Variation (Marianela Nuñez, The Royal Ballet)

Giselle is the classic ballet of the Romantic era – and, for the dancer performing the title role, one of the greatest challenges in the repertory. Peter Wright’s production, a classic itself, perfectly achieves the dual aspects of the ballet, moving from the naivety of young love between Giselle and Albrecht in the village setting of Act I to the ethereal Wilis in Act II’s eerie moonlit forest. Rich in vivid character detail and poignant depth of feeling, Giselle is a reminder of ballet’s power to move and thrill.

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[HaggisIsGross]

Giselle is my all time favorite ballet! But with Marianela in this role it made me love it even more, and I have a new theory about the Wilis, and especially her Myrtha. I think that the more the ghosts were in love, the greater the loss they felt upon their betrayal, and her love for her betrayer must have been enormous. That’s why her icy fury makes her the Queen. After all, the opposite of love is nothingness, not hate. Hate is the flip side of love, both being emotions of great passion. She hates because she loves. Giselle loved Albrecht, it’s true, but she also recognizes that he did not love her and it was entirely one sided, therefore she can forgive him and herself. Myrtha cannot.

[Emmareads]

Marianela is just beyond words. She lives and breathes every movement and it's just so seamless.
An extraordinary talent and one the Royal Ballet and us fans in the UK should treasure having her share her amazing career with us. She is such an asset.

[catherinem]

This is my favourite variation from Giselle! And the fact that Marianela Nunez is dancing it in this video is just marvelous! ❤️

[ymatsuda]

I love this costume!
And Marianela’s every movement shows the dignity and coldness of the queen. Superb!

[nicolezly]

Nela as Myrtha and Alina as Giselle was the best possible cast in our contemporary time. Royal Ballet has never ending talent pool, but these two are irreplaceable.

[kiki-hjxw]

my favorite variation of all time. marianela’s boureés in particular are gorgeous.

[moniquelegarda]

I love Yasmin and Matthew, but my main reason for watching the stream was to see Marianela as Myrtha. She was cold and implacable as the Queen of the Willis.

[barbaralemere]

Marianela brings a regal presence to this role! I would love to see the full performance!

[abrillanteri]

No existe rol que a Nela le quede mal. Es única, y su capacidad como bailarina va más allá de su calidad técnica. Es capaz de llevarte hasta las lágrimas, de hacer que creas en la historia que cuenta con su cuerpo, y eso, en una era del ballet donde las extensiones y la capacidad atlética son más importantes que la calidad artística de la bailarina, es un atributo invaluable.

[rlatimer]

Marianela is such an incredible dancer, probably the best of her generation and among the best of all times. 👏👏👏❤️

[the_dancerjen]

The queen of technique, control and grace!

[pasbizarre]

The role of a queen danced by the current Queen of the Royal Ballet!

[Are_We_Having_Tea]

So amazing to watch Ms Nunez! Especially after watching her being coached by Monica Mason in this variation.

[Anna-vzjl]

Gorgeous Perfection she is my favourite ballerina love Giselle, Take care everyone Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year Filled with Health Joy love God Bless everyone 🙏🏻🎄

[siegfried]

Some of us oldies can see Dame Monica s coaching of Marinanela superb Cold floating malevolent She does this role like all her roles with complete conviction and lives the part!!! A great Ballerina one of the finest Much more convincing acting than another guest principal whose pulling of funny faces she thinks is acting!!! - You must live the role or you dont convince the Audience Marianela is Myrtha!!!¬ I do hope the Royal ballet sell this as a vid with Yasmin Matthew and Marianela Three excellent dancers in the roles.

[joyanngoddard]

ROH please could you upload all of it 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼. There is such a wonderful video of Dame Monica Mason. And it was simply marvellous to watch her coach Marianela. It would be a treasure to see all of Marianela in this role. Please?

[ArchangelArchetypeOracle]

She is such a dream come true, in everything she touches. 😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️

[jonatikaWwe]

The cut off just when it was getting started! 😭😭😭💔

[nectarina]

There is no one more captivating than Marianela <3 <3 <3