Five ballets that will break your heart

Swan Lake

Swan Lake is a timeless classic. Whether you watch it for the first or 100th time, it always brings out deep emotions.

The themes of love, deception, and the struggle between good and evil can really resonate. The ending is incredibly moving and tear-inducing: Prince Siegfried and the Swan Queen Odette meet their fates, as swans flood the stage, Tchaikovsky’s powerful music ringing through the auditorium.

Watch Derek Deane’s Swan Lake online on Ballet on Demand.

Giselle

Giselle is a classic Romantic ballet. Mary Skeaping’s traditional production, which English National Ballet performs, has been called “utterly heartbreaking” by critics – for good reasons.

In the first act, peasant-girl Giselle is driven mad after finding out the one she loves, Albrecht, a Duke, is betrothed to another. Her shock, sadness and anger can’t help but touch the audience, in a scene that is iconic.

The second act, set in a ghostly forest, is also particularly poignant. Despite what he has done to her, Giselle decides to save her beloved Albrecht from the Wilis, vengeful spirits of jilted brides who make men dance to their death. The moody atmosphere, lush melodies of Adolphe Adam’s music, and the overall themes of forgiveness and redemption contribute to the ballet’s ability to bring tears to our eyes.

English National Ballet performs Mary Skeaping’s Giselle at Liverpool Empire (23-26 October 2024), Palace Theatre, Manchester (30 October – 2 November 2024), and the London Coliseum (15-18 January 2025).

Akram Khan’s Giselle

Choreographer Akram Khan reimagined the classic ballet Giselle (listed above) in 2016. Since then, English National Ballet has performed this version around the world, meeting with a powerful emotional reaction wherever it’s been seen.

This contemporary take grabs you from the start with its ominous score (by Vincenzo Lamagna) and passionate choreography, and the stunning images it presents will stay with you for a long time. These audience members sum it up better than we could:

just tear my heart out already. act one of akram khan's Giselle, by the @ENBallet, was so devastatingly beautiful.

— neither wise nor unwise but a secret 3rd thing (@lunarbaedeker) September 22, 2017

Just been to see Akram Khan's Giselle Ballet at Palace Theatre in Manchester! It was the single most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. So raw and powerful that I cried my eyes out! Such beautiful choreography!!! 😍 @AkramKhanLive @ENBallet

— GemmaJuJu (@GemmaJuJu221) October 21, 2023

Watch Akram Khan’s Giselle online on Ballet on Demand.

Manon

Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet Manon is the tragic tale of a young woman’s descent into a world of greed, lust, and manipulation, set in the 18th century.

It’s impossible not to empathise with the title character, who is in love with a penniless student, but is lured to become the mistress of a rich gentleman. Like hers, our heart swells witnessing the giddiness of first love – before breaking during the final, tragic pas de deux, full of intense lifts and partnering. A devastating rollercoaster of emotions.

Watch Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon on Ballet on Demand.

Romeo and Juliet

This ballet, set to Sergei Prokofiev’s music, tells the famous tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, based on William Shakespeare’s play.

The themes of young love and family conflict, and the untimely deaths of the two protagonists, evoke feelings of heartbreak and sorrow. The final scene, which begins with Romeo finding Juliet seemingly lifeless, is particularly emotional: no matter how much we know the tragic ending will come, we always hope against hope that it would be a different one.

Each of these ballets is renowned for its ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level, often leading to tears as viewers become engrossed in the stories, the music and choreography and the artistry of the dancers’ performances.

Whether you watch these emotional ballets online, at the cinema or in a theatre, we hope they will resonate with you.