The Grands Ballets Canadiens commissioned STARNO to design and produce all digital environments for their 2019 production of Giselle. This ambitious reinterpretation of one of the world's most iconic classical ballets marked a bold departure from the company's traditional reliance on physical sets.
To bring this new artistic vision to life, four specialized projectors were installed above the auditorium, casting large-scale projections onto custom-made white drapes surrounding the stage. These surfaces became a dynamic canvas for STARNO's digital scenography, allowing the environment to transform seamlessly throughout the performance.
A major part of the show takes place in a forest—an atmosphere that evolves in tone, depth, and emotion as the narrative progresses. STARNO created multiple variations of this digital woodland, alongside additional environments tailored to the ballet's secondary acts.
Despite Giselle being a timeless work rooted in a very old era, integrating advanced projection technology into such a classic repertoire proved to be a daring and innovative move for the Grands Ballets Canadiens. The result: a visually striking, immersive production that honored the heritage of Giselle while elevating it through modern digital artistry.
A beautiful collaboration—and a remarkable success for everyone involved.
Giselle is one of the most celebrated ballets in the classical repertoire, first premiered in 1841 at the Paris Opera Ballet. It tells the story of a young peasant girl, Giselle, whose love and innocence are tragically betrayed, leading her to join the ranks of the mystical "Wilis"—spirits of women who have died before their wedding day. Over the years, Giselle has become an enduring symbol of romantic ballet, known for its poetic storytelling, delicate choreography, and emotional depth.
In 2019, The Grands Ballets Canadiens presented a bold new interpretation of this timeless work. For the first time, the company embraced a technologically enhanced staging, combining physical sets with advanced digital projections. STARNO was commissioned to create all digital environments for the show, transforming the stage into a living, breathing world that evolves throughout the performance.
The production featured four specialized projectors mounted above the theater, projecting onto custom-made white drapes. These projections allowed the scenery to change seamlessly, reflecting the shifting moods of the ballet—from the serene countryside to the eerie, supernatural forest of the Wilis. Additional digital sets were crafted for secondary acts, enhancing the storytelling and providing an immersive experience for the audience.
This reinterpretation of Giselle was a daring and innovative move for the Grands Ballets Canadiens, demonstrating a willingness to explore modern technology while honoring the heritage of a classic masterpiece. The result was a visually stunning and emotionally powerful production, blending tradition and innovation in a way that captivated audiences and critics alike.
Clementine Flicker Rodriguez, Caty Delaturantaye, Philippe Savoie Lemay, Frédéric St-Arnaud, Melanie Carignan
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
Immersive Stage Design