Duke Albrecht of Silesia is in love with a beautiful, shy peasant girl, Giselle, despite being betrothed to Bathilde, the daughter of the Duke of Courtland.
Albrecht disguises himself as a humble villager called “Loys” so he can court Giselle.
Hilarion, a local gamekeeper, is also in love with Giselle and highly suspicious of the newcomer and tries to convince her that he cannot be trusted but she ignores his warnings.
Giselle’s mother, Berthe, is protective and she worries because Giselle has a weak heart that leaves her in delicate health.
Berthe thinks Hilarion woud be a better match and disapproves Giselle’s fondness for dancing due to the strain on her heart.
A party of noblemen seeking refreshment arrives in the village, including Albrecht’s betrothed, Bathilde. He hides. The villagers welcome the party, offering drinks and performing several dances.
Bathilde is charmed by Giselle’s sweet nature. Giselle is honored when the the regal stranger offers her a necklace as a gift before they depart.
The villagers continue the harvest festivities and Albrecht emerges again to dance with Giselle, who is named the Harvest Queen. Hilarion interrupts the festivities. He has discovered Albrecht’s true identity and calls back the party of noblemen. Albrecht has no choice but to greet Bathilde.
Everyone is shocked, but none more than Giselle who becomes inconsolable when facing her lover’s deception.
Knowing that they can never be together, Giselle flies into a mad fit of grief in which all the tender moments she shared with “Loys” flash before her eyes.
She begins to dance wildly and erratically, ultimately causing her weak heart to give out.
She collapses before dying in Albrecht’s arms. Hilarion and Albrecht turn on each other in rage before Albrecht flees the scene in misery. The curtain closes as Berthe weeps over her daughter’s body.
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