The Royal Ballet's five-star Giselle - in pictures

Natalia Osipova as Giselle and Carlos Acosta as Albrecht. Giselle falls in love with Albrecht Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Osipova 'gives us the pulse and breath of emotion in every detail' writes Judith Mackrell Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Giselle dies of a broken heart after she finds out that Albrecht is engaged to another woman Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Natalia Osipova has previously given exceptional performances as Giselle with the Bolshoi and the Mikhailovsky Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Osipova previously appeared as a guest artist with the Royal Ballet, dancing in Swan Lake with Carlos Acosta. The pair are reunited in Giselle Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Hikaru Kobayashi as Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis, who summons Giselle from the grave Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Acosta as Albrecht Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

According to Judith Mackrell, the production 'manages to hold two conflicting forces in play: Giselle as a drama of the gothic supernatural and Giselle as a human love story' Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

'This interpretation sees Osipova taking some drastic licence with the choreography's phrasing,' writes Mackrell Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Mackrell praised the 'superbly naturalistic performances' Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Giselle is considered one of the greatest romantic ballets Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

For Mackrell, the ending is 'as tragic as any Giselle I've seen' Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

Giselle is at the Royal Opera House until 10 February 2014 Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian