Borisova-Ollas - for violoncello and orchestra

Oh Giselle, remember me ...
for cello and symphony orchestra
2019

Giselle is one of the most famous and successful ballets in the history of music. The story is filled with all sorts of romance such as betrayed feelings, mysterious transformations, jealousy, vengeance, constant emotional outbursts, and timeless love that overcomes all betrayal and all evil. Of course, as in the center of all classical and modern ballet sets, Giselle is an absolutely central character, as well as her lover Albrecht. There are also other powerful characters such as Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis, a corps of the evil spirits of betrayed virgins who, in their mortal life, have died in the suites of unfortunate adventures in love. The plot keeps all of the characters in a state of constant dynamic movement from the very beginning to the very end of the show. The music, written by Adolph Adam in 1841, is wonderful.

Despite all this, it seemed quite obvious to me that the story can also be told with more modern musical means. Writing one more ballet with the same content has never crossed my mind. I decided to make the nobleman Albrecht a main storyteller this time and let his voice go to one of the world's most beautiful instruments, cello. Furthermore, I decided to let the orchestra help in the process of recreating some of the story's most dramatic scenes. This time everything starts with Albrecht searching for Giselle's grave in the middle of a wild forest. According to the original version of the libretto, she has committed suicide and could not be buried in the sacred ground of a church cemetery. He realizes his guilt fully as he has betrayed her cruelly and she has taken her own life as a result of this betrayal. Moreover, she died in his arms. Time has passed but he cannot forget. He can't forgive himself either. He has come to ask for forgiveness and her spirit is willing to give it to him. Suddenly Myrtha and the Wilis are revealing themselves and demand revenge. They are forcing Albrecht to nearly dance himself to death. Albrecht survives thanks to the power of Giselle's love. She counters the Wilis’ evil magic powers and spares his life. She will haunt the forest no longer and may finally turn back to her grave. He is doomed to a long life filled with horrible memories and remorse. <?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Oh Giselle, remember me ... for Cello and Symphony Orchestra is a co-commission between the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert is dedicated to the soloist Truls Mørk.

Victoria Borisova-Ollas