Program Description
Event Details
Join Chrissy Clancy from the Clay Recreation Department and her book club for a novel discussion event. On Wednesday, April 19th at 10AM - 1PM, we will be discussing The Myrtle Wand by Margaret Porter, a novel based on the ballet story of Giselle.
"The ghost-filled ballet tells the tragic, romantic story of a beautiful young peasant girl named Giselle and a disguised nobleman named Albrecht, who fall in love, but when his true identity is revealed by his rival, Hilarion, Giselle goes mad and dies of heartbreak. After her death, she is summoned from her grave into the vengeful, deadly sisterhood of the Wilis, the ghosts of unmarried women who died after being betrayed by their lovers and take revenge in the night by dancing men to death by exhaustion (a popular theme in Romantic-era ballets)
The Myrtle Wand takes the point of view of Bathilde, Giselle's rival for the Duke Albin's (Albrecht) hand in marriage. With Giselle, the ghostly Vili or Wili, and King Louis IVX of France, The Myrtle Wand is steeped in historical details.
We will be showing excerpts from the ballet as well as a craft and a few snacks.
There are limited print copies of the book but it is available on Libby, our library e-book app.
Registration is required to attend. Call the library at 315-635-5631 or register through our library calendar.