'Giselle' is pure ballet for CCM

At 173 years old, "Giselle" is just about the oldest work in the ballet repertory.

But for Jiang Qi, professor of dance at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music and head of the school's dance ensemble, there are few ballets that are more valuable teaching tools than that choreographic gem from 1841.

"It's important because of the style," says Qi. "It is one of the purest examples of classical ballet that we still have."

You've got to understand that "Giselle" is not a ballet filled with breathtaking leaps and pyrotechnic feats. In fact, "Giselle" is at the other end of the spectrum. It comes from an era where ballet as we now know it was still in its infancy. Even though there are scenes that can give you goosebumps – a mad scene, a dance to the death, a chorus of dead women betrayed in life – this is not a work where athletic spectacle is valued. Besides, the sorts of things that today's dancers are capable of wouldn't have even crossed the minds of dancers in 1841.

"The steps may not be complicated," says Qi. "But it is so hard to move in that classical way. "It's a ballet where detail and control are most important," says Qi. "That's what makes it such a difficult ballet for young dancers to understand and master."

Classical ballets aren't to the liking of every dancer, says Qi.

"For many dancers who are accustomed to other styles of ballet, it feels very strange. It's not satisfying in the same way that a contemporary ballet can be." The more they work on it, the more they realize how difficult it is."

There is a practical side to programming "Giselle" is a ballet that has a largely female cast. And since CCM's dance program has many more women than men, it is an ideal ballet to showcase its strengths.

To help celebrate the dance ensemble's 50th anniversary, UC president Santa Ono will make a cameo appearance during the Friday night performance. The dance ensemble will be joined by Cincinnati Ballet dancer and CCM graduate James Cunningham in the leading role of Albrecht on Thursday and Friday nights.

"We thought this was a very good ballet to celebrate ... our 50th anniversary," says Qi. "We began the same year that Cincinnati Ballet did. And like them, we have grown into something much, much bigger than anyone imagined." ■

If you go

What: "Giselle," performed by the CCM Dance Ensemble

When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Corbett Auditorium, University of Cincinnati, University Heights

Tickets: $17-$31

Information: 513-556-4183; www.ccm.uc.edu