Bolshoi Theatre buildings are closed and not available for any visit during the month in July-September 2026 (exact dates will be announced later). This summer, while the historic Bolshoi Theatre building is closed for its annual break, a special ballet festival takes place just next door — a celebration of classical dance featuring outstanding performers trained at Russia’s finest ballet academies. Among the cast are dancers from the Bolshoi Theatre itself, bringing with them the same world-class technique, artistry, and emotional depth that have made the Bolshoi a symbol of ballet excellence around the globe.
Giselle is a timeless masterpiece of romantic ballet — a perfect union of expressive pantomime and lyrical dance. This legendary work, born from the depths of Eastern European folklore and immortalized by Heinrich Heine, tells the haunting tale of the Wilis — spirits of young women betrayed in love, who rise from their graves to dance unsuspecting travelers to death in a ghostly act of vengeance.
Set to the deeply emotional music of Adolphe Adam and brought to life through the exquisite choreography of Marius Petipa, Giselle draws the audience into a delicate and tragic love story between a naïve village girl and a nobleman hiding his identity. Since its Russian premiere in 1842, this ballet has never left the national stage, with its title role performed by legendary ballerinas such as Galina Ulanova, Ekaterina Maximova, and Lyudmila Semenyaka.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness Giselle performed by remarkable artists — including Bolshoi stars — in an intimate summer setting. Experience the magic, passion, and sheer beauty of a ballet that proves love is stronger than death.