Emily Thompson Embraces the Darkness of Myrtha in Giselle

For many ballet dancers, stepping into the role of Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis in Giselle, is a formidable and thrilling challenge. For Emily Thompson, it is the realization of a lifelong dream.

"Myrtha has been a dream role of mine since I was a young dancer, primarily because I think she's such an interesting character," Thompson shares. "As queen of the Wilis (spirits of women who died of heartbreak), she has an interesting dichotomy within her. She is suffering from her own heartbreak to the point that she is blinded by vengeance and spite, but she is also the protector of the Wilis."

In Act II of Giselle, Myrtha reigns over a spectral world, where the spirits of betrayed women seek revenge on any man who dares to enter their domain. Her presence is both commanding and eerie, embodying an ethereal authority that instills fear and awe. Thompson is focused on conveying the depth of Myrtha’s turmoil through her interactions with Giselle as the act unfolds.

"At the start of the act, Myrtha welcomes Giselle as a new spirit in the forest. She is regal and authoritative, yet her gestures are quite subtle as she gently guides Giselle's spirit out of the grave," she explains. "However, after Giselle defies her and tries to protect Albrecht from her wrath, Myrtha becomes increasingly enraged. She is incapable of understanding the love Giselle still has for Albrecht and has no capacity for mercy."

This transformation is crucial in portraying Myrtha’s relentless nature. As Giselle chooses love and forgiveness, Myrtha remains ensnared by her own bitterness, unable to comprehend the purity of Giselle’s devotion. The climax of the ballet sees Myrtha pushing Albrecht toward his doom, only for him to be saved by the arrival of dawn.

"In the end, Myrtha's heart is unchanged and Albrecht is only spared by the rising sun," Thompson notes. "Giselle, having chosen forgiveness, finds eternal rest, while Myrtha remains trapped in her cursed quest for vengeance."

For Thompson, the role is more than just executing technically challenging choreography—it is about embodying the profound emotional weight of a woman forever lost to grief and rage. Her portrayal promises to bring a fresh depth to one of ballet’s most haunting figures, leaving audiences spellbound by the chilling beauty of Myrtha’s tragic fate.