Composed by Vincenzo Lamagna, and performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic, the score brings a fresh yet ominous energy to the stage. It fuses the past and present through a combination of classical influences and modern, industrial sounds. The music not only accompanies the dancers but also drives the narrative, enhancing the emotional depth of the ballet.
Lamagna’s work was commissioned specifically for this production, with the directive to use Adolphe Adam’s original 1841 composition as a reference. “When I came in, Akram Khan found certain parts that he connected with and my job was to create a whole new score around these parts”. He wanted “to bring something that sounds very classical, very melodic, very beautiful and pretty in certain moments, to an equally beautiful but darker place.”
The Madness scene at the end of Act I is one striking example, where Lamagna took “a tiny fragment, a harmonic progression that I absolutely loved” and built the scene’s music around it. “We shouldn’t move from these four chords,” he explained, and the result is a repetitive, mantra-like progression, until the scene’s tragic ending.
The score adds a distinctly foreboding layer to the story, making the audience feel the weight of the characters’ oppressive world. The almost hypnotic rhythms reflect Khan’s kathak-influenced choreography, while the shrill grind of machinery echoes the harsh realities of the modern-day factory setting. The overall effect, as noted by CultureWhisper (★★★★★), is immediate: “Khan’s Giselle grabs the audience from the first ominous rumble of drums rising from the orchestra pit.”
In Giselle, Lamagna successfully bridges two worlds: the classical legacy of the Romantic ballet and the modern dystopia Khan creates for this retelling. It’s a balance of light and dark, harmony and discord, which creates a visceral experience for audiences. As the soundtrack reverberates through the theatre, it ensures that this Giselle leaves a lasting emotional impact.
Its booming intensity and ominous, threatening, incessant drumbeat fills the theatre, creating an atmosphere of great profundity. Akram Khan’s Giselle is one where you feel, not simply watch, Giselle’s descent into madness; and every step of the way.SeeingDance
Listen to Akram Khan’s score, recorded by the English National Ballet Philharmonic, here: