By MEGAN WILLIAMS
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
Classical ballet with professional dancers isn't something you need to go to D.C. to enjoy. In fact, you can experience it in Fredericksburg this weekend: Classical Ballet of Fredericksburg will perform the classic French love story "Giselle," and will feature both student and professional ballet dancers.
The ballet is a tragic two-act tale about Albrecht, a nobleman living in Rhineland, Germany, in the Middle Ages, whose castle overlooks a small town. He falls in love with a peasant girl, Giselle, from afar and decides to pose as a commoner to win her affections.
Another villager, who is also in love with Giselle, ousts him. She ultimately dies of a broken heart because she cannot be with Albrecht.
"It's very romantic," said Regina Bogomolova, the studio director, who will be dancing the part of Giselle. "I haven't been able to watch the ballet without crying. All women have got to love this super-sweet, sappy ballet."
She adds that it would make for a nice Mother's Day present.
This is the first time the studio, which teaches ballet for beginners through advanced level, will put on the full-length "Giselle." The dancers performed only the second act last year, along with an annual December performance of "The Nutcracker" and a spring performance of "Cinderella."
"Giselle," unlike the other two, is said by some fans to be more challenging because of the skill level necessary for the lead roles.
"It's not a children's ballet like 'The Nutcracker,'" Bogomolova said. For this reason she decided to cast as many of her older, more advanced students in parts as she could--and to bring in community members and professional dancers to perform any remaining roles.
Bogomolova will play Giselle; her husband, Vadim, will play Albrecht. Russian ballet dancer Yuri Nikitenko will play the jealous villager, Hilarion.
In the second act of the ballet, Albrecht goes to visit Giselle's grave and faces mischief and possible death at the hands of the Wilis--women who in life loved to dance and in death rise from their graves to dance and kill men in the forest. Student Sidney Mullis will play Myrtha, queen of the Wilis, who is ultimately thwarted by Giselle who rises from her grave to protect Albrecht.
"That's where the term 'a case of the willies' comes from," Bogomolova said.
Despite the challenging nature of the ballet, and the inevitable setbacks this winter's snow caused the studio's three-month practice schedule, Bogomolova is impressed with the work the students have done to get ready, and with their level of professionalism.
"The girls have sacrificed every weekend and Friday night since February," Bogomolova said, "which for teenagers is huge."
That, along with vibrant costumes and sets, makes the studio's performance of "Giselle" a quality production, she said.
One of the reasons Bogomolova chose "Giselle" this year, besides the fact that it is well-known and a classic love story, is because she knew the ballet would challenge her students and improve their skill.
"Fredericksburg should be proud of what the kids in the area can do," she said. "I hope everyone comes out to see all the hard work they've put into it."
Megan Williams is a Fredericksburg-area writer.