Alicia Markova and Anton Dolan on Giselle

Announcer Rex Benware makes introductory remarks. Irving Deakin talks about the ballet Giselle and the music by Adolphe Adam. He introduces the dancer and choreographer Alicia Markova.

Markova discusses Giselle and her interpretation of the role of Giselle. She introduces Anton Dolin who also talks about the ballet, including working with Nicholas (Nikolaĭ Grigorʹevich) Sergeev and Olga Spessivtzeva. Dolin mentions his frequent performances of the work with Markova and his recent (January 1940) production for Ballet Theatre at Center Theater in New York City. There, Dolin made revisions to the choreography and music. He talks about those changes that are permissible and when they detract from the character of the work. He cites, for example, changes made in Sergei Lifar's production.

Dolin considers the style in which the roles of Giselle and Albrecht should be performed and relates an anecdote about a performance of Giselle by Anna Pavlova and Waslaw Nijinsky. He also underscores the importance of the choreographic details in Giselle and reminisces about a conversation he had with Serge Diaghilev about the failure of his The Sleeping Princess (The Sleeping Beauty), choreographed by Nijinska after Petipa. Dolin considers Giselle the supreme example of classical ballet.

Music from the ballet is played on the piano by Mme. Demidoff is accompanied by Dolin's commentary. Closing remarks and announcements.