Fantasia (60th Anniversary Special Edition)

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Groundbreaking on several counts, not the least of which was an innovative use of animation and stereophonic sound, this ambitious Disney feature has lost nothing to time since its release in 1940. Classical music was interpreted by Disney animators, resulting in surreal fantasy and playful escapism. Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra provided the music for eight segments by the composers Tchaikovsky, Moussorgsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli, Bach, Dukas, and Schubert. Not all the sequences were created equally, but a few are simply glorious, such as "Night on Bald Mountain," "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," and "The Nutcracker Suite." The animation ranges from subtly delicate to fiercely bold. The screen bursts with color and action as creatures transmute and convention is thrust aside. The painstaking detail and saturated hues are unique to this film, unmatched even by more advanced technology. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

Best Disney Movie Ever!.......2007-07-19

I loved this movie as a child and it still holds my interest today. Its a wonderful masterpiece of music and animation. I am disappointed its not the actual "uncut" movie (see other reviewers reviews), but its still a great movie.

fantasia.......2007-07-17

The Fantasia vhs movie played as good as new. It has been and will continue to be a family favorite.

Fantasia is fantastic...........2007-07-15

I had the pleasure of seeing FANTASIA on the big screen, when I was a little girl. I was enchanted by the imagery and the beautiful classical music soundtrack, from the opening credits, all the way to the last sequence. This was Walt Disney's way of bringing classical music to the younger generations, the children who went to the movie theaters to see his cartoons. This presentation of cartoons with classical repertoire succeeds brilliantly on many levels. For starters, the imagery compliments the mood of the musical pieces.

Some of my favorite sequences include: Nutcracker Suite by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with a look at the changing seasons, featuring animated fairies, fish, flowers, mushrooms, and leaves, Symphony No. 6 by Ludwig van Beethoven with a mythical ancient Grecian world of centaurs, centaurettes (a Disney studio creation), a pegasus and his family, the gods of Mount Olympus, fauns, cherubs and other creatures and characters of classical mythology, and the Ave Maria by Franz Schubert, with subtle sunlight and naturalistic color. I should mention that the sequence with Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky is a vision of hell. It features a wicked demon, whose likeness was based on the features of Bela Lugosi (yes, the original Dracula in the 1930s films). I was pretty scared, as an eight year old, when watching it. Keep that in mind when watching it with really small children.

My verdict? This film is a beautiful introduction to classical music, for young viewers, and compelling enough for more mature ones. This is a throwback to another time, before the age of computer-generated graphics, and you will appreciate the great lengths the animators took to hand-draw every cell in this beautiful film.

Beautiful.......2007-04-04

While it is not plot based or known for a memorable and charming story, it is a wonder to watch. Music creates images in most of us, whether they be memories of something prior, or something conjured up from the sound. Fantasia is based on that idea. Listening to this classic music, set to such elegant and wonderful images is a treat. One of the best of it's kind. Enjoy.

A child's memories.......2007-03-09

This is the first movie I remember seeing as a child. I was probably about 7 years old at the time. I've never forgotten it, and now, after 59 years, I'm viewing it again. It's just as wonderful as it was when I saw it the first time, although there are a couple of "bits" that I don't remember from my first viewing. It keeps me company during my treadmill walks. It does a wonderful job of helping me to pass the time. It's a beautiful combination of art and classical music.

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli

Average customer rating:

The Nutcracker fighting the mice is the best ballet scene ever.......
The Definitive Nutcracker
MY favorite!
Gelsey, Gelsey, Gelsey!
The Most Magical Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli
Starring: Mikhail Baryshnikov , Gelsey Kirkland , Alexander Minz , Nanette Glushak , and Gayle Young
Director: Tony Charmoli
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002S6428
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Amazon.com

The American Ballet Theater version of the Tchaikovsky classic, a 1977 studio rendition directed by Tony Charmoli, has become a holiday perennial on PBS stations and home video. It's a favorite of parents who want to give their kids the gift of culture--and with good reason. There's a loose fairy tale plot to keep dance neophytes interested, and Boris Aronson's eye-candy production design is a series of lavish dioramas. From an imperial-era Russian Christmas party out of Tolstoy, a young girl named Clara (Gelsey Kirkland) is whisked in dreams to an imaginary world populated by the animated creations of the wizard toy maker Drosselmeier (Alexander Minz), who prances on his stick-thin limbs like a Dickens illustration come to life. The main attraction is, of course, Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the greatest classical dancers of the century, at his absolute peak of athleticism and precision. An opening slow-motion montage diagrams his fabled smoothness of execution, elegant airborne trajectories that have a feather-light perfection. Music lovers who know only "The Nutcracker Suite" will relish the chance to hear this great score all the way through, conducted with lilt and vigor by Kenneth Schermerhorn. --David Chute

Description

The Nutcracker marked the initial choreographic effort of Baryshnikov, universally hailed as one of the world's greatest dancers. Under Baryshnikov's inventive direction, the traditionally lighthearted story of a small girl's dream on Christmas Eve is transformed into a more complex theatrical experience. Broadcast regularly on PBS, this American Ballet Theatre performance (directed in the studio by Tony Charmoli) stars Gelsey Kirkland as Clara and Mikhail Baryshnikov at the peak of his artistic ability as the Prince/Nutcracker.

Customer Reviews:

The Nutcracker fighting the mice is the best ballet scene ever..............2007-06-30

I have this and the Ballanchine version. The latter is pretty but the dancing not memorable. This one is a joy and wonder to watch. Not only is Baryshnikov superb, several other dancers are almost as good. To watch the Nutcracker (Baryshnikov) battle the mice is thrilling, awesome, and has to be seen to be fully appreciated.
Even my 3 year old granddaughter prefers this one to the more child oriented Ballanchine version.

The Definitive Nutcracker.......2007-04-08

ÿOf all the productions of the Nutcracker ballet that I've seen, this is the definitive one.

As someone who dabbles in cinema photography, I can appreciate the cross- fades between many of the sequences in this production for televiewing. This adds another dimension, that cannot be seen in a public performance. Also, there is a wider choice of good camera locations in the television production of any ballet.

The dancers were all great - in particular Baryshnikov, Kirkland and the court jesters. Although Kirkland was 24 years of age at the time of this production, she was very convincing in the role of the young teen-age Clara. Baryshnikov was equally convincing as the dashing young prince. And last, but not least, the musical score is magnificent. I was particularly amused by the way that Tchaikovsky worked the tune of a French children's song, Cadet Roussel, into the middle of the court jesters' dance.

John Betz, Meaford, Ontario, Canada.

MY favorite!.......2007-03-22

LOve this soo much! This is my favorite tape of my favorite ballet! Excellent condition and love to watch it over and over!

Gelsey, Gelsey, Gelsey!.......2007-01-21

There never was a ballerina like her. I was lucky enough to see her dance many times in NYC in the late 70s. Whether she was dancing with Baryshnikov or with somebody else, she was just so good.

I've seen a lot of Nutcrackers, but no one's Clara comes close to hers.

Oh, yeah, Mischa's pretty good in this video :)

The Most Magical Nutcracker.......2007-01-20

Even though this version deviates from the classic in set and choreography, it is, in my opinion, defintely one of the best. Many imaginative ideas, beautiful colors and excellent dancing make this version really seem magical. Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland are the best in these two roles that I have seen. The set is not as extravagent as the one used by the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, but the costumes, colors, dancing and great ideas make up for it. I absolutely love this version!

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / American Ballet Theatre, Murphy, Corella

Average customer rating:

Embarrassing bad
Very American
Amazing!
Marcelo Gomes steals the show
Virtuoso

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / American Ballet Theatre, Murphy, Corella
Starring: Marcelo Gomes , Gillian Murphy , and Angel Corella
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AYEI9A
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Product Description

Like all the best tales of enchantment, Swan Lake involves a beautiful princess, a passionate prince and a really major obstacle to their happiness. That obstacle is the wicked sorcerer von Rothbart (a dual role, danced by Marcelo Gomes and Isaac Stappas), who, in the prologue to Kevin McKenzie's adaptation, captures the Princess Odette and turns her into a swan by night. Only if a young man pledges his love and marries her, can the evil spell be broken. But should he betray her, she will remain a swan forever. Beloved by audiences for its exquisite performances and striking visuals, Kevin McKenzie's lavish new rendition of the timeless classic starring the exquisite young ballerina, Gillian Murphy, and the extraordinary Angel Corella now comes to DVD in all its enchanting glory. "The blockbuster production of the dance season" -The New York Times "A spectacle of shimmering light." -The Washington Post 5.1/DTS gi1.78:1 gi16x9 gi113 mins. "ABT returns the love story to Swan Lake?fast-moving splendidly detailed and delightfully entertaining!" -The Chicago Tribune

System Requirements:

Running Time 112 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Embarrassing bad.......2007-09-07

It is probably the worse Swan Lake ever perform and sure the worse in video. Sad because is an enormous amount of talent, Marcelo Gomez, Murphy and Corella to name a few are probably some of the best dancers of their generation in the planet today, but their coaches, they stagers, and teachers seems to they have no idea about tradition, musicality, style. Seems that they have no idea who Petipa or Ivanov or even Tchaikovsky was. So sad a company with so much money and access do things so bad. ABT easily can hire somebody from St Petersburg and help with the style at least. I understand if they want to give an ABT look but the Petipa/Ivanov Imperial ballet style have to be there.

Very American.......2007-04-24

Technically, it is amazing, all dancers are very energetic. Artistically, it is ...... . Murphy seems to be trying very hard, but obviously she does not fit the role. Corella is still like a boy. They all good dancers but not so good actors. It is more or less like a gymnastic show, watchable and maybe a bit exciting.

Amazing!.......2007-04-23

This production was one of the best ballets I have ever seen! The sets and costumes were beautiful and very elaborate adding to the dazzle of this performance. Gillian Murphy's Odette/Odile is stunning to watch.

Marcelo Gomes steals the show.......2007-04-20

While I love Angel Corella, this was not his best role. Gillian Murphy is undeniably a great technician but she has not earned the title of "Artist" in my opinion. She basically has 2 facial expressions throughout the whole performance. She has her sad Odette face and her scarey Odile snarl. While Corella and Murphy both dance the roles well, there is zero chemistry between them, almost to the point of awkwardness.

Marcelo Gomes as "Rothbart" however, steals the show with his beautiful technique and a commanding stage presence.

The DVD is beautifully shot and the staging is very well done but the performances themselves do not rank among my favorite Swan Lake performances.

Virtuoso.......2007-04-11

Loved it loved it loved it! ABT remains to be my favorite company simply because of the level of artistry and flawless technique. And all of these 2 qualities are displayed from the opening and definately into the white swan variation and black swan pas de deux.

The Huberman Festival / Pinchas Zuckerman, Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Israel Philharmonic

Average customer rating:

The Huberman Festival / Pinchas Zuckerman, Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Israel Philharmonic

Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

ASIN: B000P6R71Y
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Description

Conceived as a music lover's dream, the Huberman Festival brought together the world's most illustrious violinists to play together for the first and only time with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Zubin Mehta.

BACH: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B flat Major, S.1051
Pinchas Zukerman, Daniel Benyamini

VIVALDI: Concerto for Four Violins and Orchestra in B Minor, Op.3, No. 10
Pinchas Zukerman, Isaac Stern, Shlomo Mintz, Ida Haendel, Daniel Benyamini, Ivry Gitlis.

MENDELSSOHN: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, Op. 64
Shlomo Mintz

BACH: Concerto for Two Violins and String Orchestra in D Minor, S.1043
Isaac Stern, Shlomo Mintz

VIVALDI: The Four Seasons
Pinchas Zukerman, Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Shlomo Mintz

TCHAIKOVSKY: Concerto for Violins in D Major, Op. 35
Henryk Szeryng

VIVALDI: Concerto for Two Violins and String Orchestra in A Minor, Op. 3, No.8
Henryk Szeryng, Chaim Taub

MOZART: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orch. in E Flat Maj. K.364
Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman

HANDEL: Passacaglia
Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman

Customer Reviews:

5 stars : margot/rudolf 's swan lake !!!!.......2007-07-04

i hv own this swan lake dvd for three yrs, but never thought about writing a review until now, why?
after i bought the dvd ( margot/rudof ), and watching it almost a dozen times either by myself or introduce it to a female friend, it ALWAYS made me cry at the end of act IV, never fail.
so,last week, i spent 40,000 of my precious united award miles, flew almost 12 hrs ( two stops, delayed 2 and 3 hrs here and there,etc)from california to new york to see ABT's ( american ballet theatre ) swan lake procuction at lincoln center.
boy, I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!!
why? as usual:
act I's folk dance, i can tolerate it like everyone else,
act II ,III i wasn't very happy with it already,but, i still have hope for the final act,but then when it comes to
act IV, the production has cut it almost into half !
what a shame.
hence, i recommand margot/rudof 's "swan lake" to anyone who is interested in purchasing a good dvd,never an " ABT " swan lake :)

One of the Best Nureyev DVDs.......2007-06-01

This Swan Lake is one of the best I have ever seen. Though the Nureyev staging is very different from the "typical" staging, his performance is unrivaled. He carries the Pas de Cinq in Act I and does an amazing job in the Black Swan Pas de Deux of Act III. Fonteyn is also very good, though she is admittedly past the peak of her career. For all Nureyev fans, this is his best commercially available performance.

A Lass Unparalleled!.......2007-01-21

I first saw Fonteyn in a live performance in 1968. Of course I had seen her on television but was not prepared for the impact of a theatre experience.I was stunned. She was dancing in Giselle with Nureyev. Their performance was sublime.

Nureyev had transformed the role of the male dancer, but it was Fonteyn in my opinion who held the essence of ballet. So of course I bought this video as a record of her art.

At first viewing I found the close up Nureyev a little narcisstic but this did not detract from the quality of the first act.

I was overwhelemed with the dancing in act two and the rapport between Odette and Siegfried has never been matched. Fonteyn's dancing is simple, precise, and without affectation. There is no over extension which one sees today and which I find rather more suitable to the gymnasium then the stage. Her placement is extraordinary, the poise of her head and lovely port de bras that has even tho this day no equal. As an example see her in Les Sylphides in the Prelude solo (An Evening with the Royal Ballet) when just running her arms move as though there are no bones!

Her first entrance captures the whole essence of the ballet. A swan queen who has been tranformed into a graceful young maiden. One is not aware of technique so wll absorbed is it into the whole performance; wonderful arabesques and balances culminating in the great pas de deux which should be mandatory viewing for any aspiring Odette. Not to be copied but as an inspiration for elegiac dancing.

In the third act Fonteyn subtley portrays the role of Odile-with flashing eyes and and a different poise of her head. After all Siegfried has to be able to recognise that this must be Odette, the woman to whom he has sworn undying love in act two. So Odile cannot be the complete opposite in character. This Fontyen shows as no other. Her solo dancing has just the right amount of speed and attack coupled with wonderful turns and balances.

In the final act we see the renunion of Odette and Siegfried and the glorious dancing and emotion builds to the tragic ending of Siegfired drowning in the lake and the hopelessness of Odette as she realises that all is lost.

This version of the ballet is a complete blending of dance and dramatic interpretation of a timeless story and not to be missed by anyone who loves the magic of dance.

Francis J. Farrar

One Of My Very Favorite Swan Lakes........2006-06-15

Nureyev had a wonderfully keen practical and artistic sense of how to produce the classical ballets. Among other things, he realized the merits of enlarging the role of the male dancer, as did Balanchine, his quote to the contrary notwithstanding!(Male dancers who danced for him that I have trained with, tell me that when he said ballet is all about women, he was mostly referring to the concept of partnering, where the woman is prominently displayed; he enjoyed working with male dancers very much, as we can see in his choreography.) In this version, both principal dancers are given a great deal of choreography and, as one would expect from one of the world's most famous ballet duos, they dance magnificently! Margot Fonteyn was always the quintessential ballerina, both on stage and off. She was also a great balletic actress and did not like to be disturbed backstage during a ballet because she would stay in character. She always peformed at her best, right up to the end of her very long career.
Some people have been surprised at the closeup of Nureyev in this at the begining of the first act; it shows the starkness of his makeup. Actually, this type of makeup is often used for this role, but we usually don't see it in closeup! It looks good at a distance. It is all part of the fantasy aspect of Swan Lake.
Especially noteworthy is the adagio Nureyev dances at the end of act one. Many dancers have bought this version just to see and study this! It is one of the greatest moments in classical ballet!
Nureyev's handling of the corps de ballet is also fantastic. I loved the geometric patterns he sets for them. The corps also dances with great precision and passion.
The only subdued aspect of this version is that of the Rothbart character. He is reduced to just a character role here. Nureyev liked to have important character, non-dancing , roles in his ballets for balance, no doubt.
This recent transfer by DG is marvelous, both visually and acoustically. I highly recommend this classic performance as a traditional Swan Lake.

A mixed review.......2005-12-29

Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn. No other ballet partnership is as legendary -- the fiery Russian defector and the graceful, aging English ballerina formed a bond on and off the stage that for several years practically defined romantic ballet. Thus, for this very reason, hardcore balletomanes should get this dvd. Many of us (including me) were too young to have seen Nureyev and Fonteyn live, so these videos are the only example to dissect the legendary partnership. However, caveat emptor: this is NOT a "typical" Swan Lake by any means. You can argue that there is no "typical" Swan Lake -- the original production in 1877 was a failure. Some of the music went missing. After Tchaikovksy's death, the choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov restaged Swan Lake, and that version more or less is the Swan Lake audiences know today. There's lots of music, so most versions of Swan Lake
use the "traditional" pieces.

Nevertheless, there are some different traditions of Swan Lake. In the Russian productions, the outcome is usually "happy" -- Rothbart is killed, and Siegfried and Odette are alive. In the productions used "everywhere else," Odette and Siegfried leap into the lake, and are reunited in the otherworld. I prefer the second ending personally, because I think it better matches both the story (the happy ending was enforced by the Tsar, and seems tacked on), and the music as well.

Rudolf Nureyev's 1966 film, however, is unlike any other Swan Lake I've ever seen. First of all, from the opening closeup (of Siegfried in blue eyeshadow and red lipstick) you realize this film is not going to follow Balanchine (and classical ballet's) creed of "ballet is woman." The first act is redesigned to incorporate a lot of solos and dance opportunities for Siegfried (Nureyev). The first act usually ends with Siegfried picking up his bow and arrow and going hunting with Benno. In this film, there is a long elegiac solo for Siegfried (using music that's usually used in act 2). Since this solo has since become rather common in Swan Lake productions, it doesn't bother me that much. Actually, in this version of Swan Lake, there is no Benno, so one of the things missing from this Swan Lake is the first act Pas de Trois.

More bothersome is Act 2. Nureyev dares to tinker with the famous Act II choreography by Lev Ivanov. In the famous Odette/Siegfried Adagio, the melody is repeated with the cello, but this repeat is rather abruptly interrupted by a solo for Siegfried. Most of the famous "Love Duet" is there but I don't like the sudden switch to a solo for Siegfried. I prefer the "traditional" ending to the pas de deux.

And one also notices that Fonteyn, as graceful and lovely as she is, is at times unable to cope with the famously demanding Odette/Odile role. For instance, Odette's solo in Act II usually ends with a series of turns and then Odette stands on pointe and holds a balance before going into the wings. Fonteyn doesn't attempt the feat, but ends the series of turns in first position -- flat on her feet. Another example is Odette's entrance -- it usually is accompanied by a large grande jete. Fonteyn's jump is much smaller. Her balances are somewhat shaky. She is in general somewhat careful and slow throughout the ballet. Fonteyn also refused to have any closeups, a choice which might have hidden her wrinkles but has a distancing effect on the viewer. Fonteyn's Odette/Odile was legendary, but I don't think this video caught Fonteyn in her finest hour.

Act III's music choreography is pretty standard, but the musical arrangements (and choreography) for the Black Swan Pas de deux are different. Nureyev uses music that Tchaikovsky later composed for the Black Swan pdd, and ballet lovers will recognize it immediately as the music to Balanchine's crowdpleasing "Tchaikovsky pas de deux." Bourmeister's version of Swan Lake also uses this music. Fonteyn actually churns out the fouettes very well, confirming something I've long suspected: that everyone looks at the fouettes, but Odette/Odile's real challenges are the balances, footwork, and leaps, and this is where you can see Fonteyn suffer.

Strangely, Act IV (the act that is usually cut to shreds) is the most intact. And it's the best-danced act: it;s the reconciliation scene between Odette and Siegfried that one can catch glimmers of the genuine bond that existed between these dancers. Elsewhere, the technical limitations of Fonteyn by this time and Nureyev's reworking of Swan Lake as a solo showpiece for Siegfried distracted me from simply enjoying their partnership. I particularly loved when Siegfried runs all over the stage, turning up the head of each swan, to find his Odette, and when he finally finds Margot's head, it's a truly beautiful moment. The ending of Nureyev's version is also unorthodox, and not the "usual" endings of the Swan Boat to heaven. It is, however, in many ways very similar to the Bourmeister ending. One wonders if Nureyev got the inspiration for his ending from the Bourmeister version (which can be seen in a new video with Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle).

On a technical level, there are problems. The ballet was filmed on a soundstage, and seems way too small to fit a whole cpmpany corps. As a result, the dancers often look haplessly cramped and as if they'll bump into each other. The close bunching also detracted from the natural geometric shapes that are so much a
part of classical ballet. The Vienna State Ballet also looks woefully underreheased. Either that or they're just bad. Their legs are terribly uneven in arabesques, their arms are a mess, and they simply look like a corps that hasnt danced Swan Lake enough. The sets are also deliberately artificial and the costuming, espeically for Nureyev and in the "color" acts, is garish. The lighting is inadequate, especially in the "White Swan" acts. Rothbart (Redbeard here) is a non-dancing role, unlike in most productions when he's a smooth pimp-type in Act III.

For a traditional Swan Lake with a more modern Odette/Odile, I'd suggest the Makarova/Dowell dvd with the Royal Ballet. Makarova was 41 at the time of filming, but her long extensions, boneless arms, exquisite balances, and still impressive technique make her Odette/Odile treasurable. This Swan Lake is of great historical value, and Fonteyn is undeniably lovely, but overall I admit I wanted a more traditional Swan Lake, and I certainly wouldnt recommend this dvd as anyone's first Swan Lake. Its just too unorthodox.

Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Aurelie Dupont, Manuel Legris, Vincent Cordier, Nathalie Quernet, Laurent Queval, Paris Opera Ballet

Average customer rating:

Struttin' Around
most beautiful ballet i've seen
A ballet to watch
Misdirected
Sleeping Beauty - "Ballet of Ballets"

Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Aurelie Dupont, Manuel Legris, Vincent Cordier, Nathalie Quernet, Laurent Queval, Paris Opera Ballet
Starring: Tchaikovsky , Opera Bastille , Rudolph Nureyev , and Petipa
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FII2B6
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Description

Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Choreographed and staged by Rudolf Nureyev after Marius Petipa. Restaged by Patricia Ruanne

The Sleeping Beauty remains, as Rudolf Nureyev often called it, the `ballet of ballets'. It is the most accomplished and the most brilliant, as well as one of the most spectacular of the 19th century, and the most representative of the `noble' style of classical dancing. Rudolf Nureyev's version, which he created for the Opera Ballet in 1989, was recorded at the Opéra Bastille in 1999, in a new production (sets and costumes) created by his faithful collaborators, Ezio Frigerio and Franca Squarciapino, who had already produced Swan Lake, Romeo And Juliet And La Bayadère.

Princess Aurora: Aurélie Dupont
Prince Désiré: Manuel Legris
King Florestan: Vincent Cordier
The Queen: Nathalie Quernet
Catalabutte: Laurent Queval
The Lilac Fairy: Béatrice Martel
Carabosse: Nathalie Aubin
Princess Florina: Delphine Moussin
Bluebird: Benjamin Pech
Puss In Boots: Stéphane Elizabé
White Cat: Laetitia Pujol
Orchestre De L'Opéra National De Paris
Conductor: David Coleman. Sets: Ezio Frigerio. Costumes: Franca Squarciapino. Directed By Pierre Cavassilas.

Customer Reviews:

Struttin' Around.......2007-05-06

A lot of acting, posing and walking around the stage; very little dancing.

most beautiful ballet i've seen.......2007-05-03

incredible production done in high definition. absolutely gorgeous set, costumes, and superb performances.

A ballet to watch.......2007-03-25

A beautiful piece. Lighting (which often is so poor in this type of DVD),
customs, performance, are tops. I enjoyed this ballet, and will see it many more times.

Misdirected.......2007-03-08

The director is incredibly intrusive. The camera is never allowed to rest on corps or soloist. All stucture of the choreography is lost.

Sleeping Beauty - "Ballet of Ballets".......2007-02-08

There are many fine and thorough reviews on this performance by Paris Opera Ballet. I'll keep mine brief - this is a most excellent interpretation of the greatest of all ballets. The costumes and sets are visually lavish. The primary etoiles - Aurelie DuPont and Manuel Legris are very well paired and both outstanding dancers. I agree with the reviewer that said to "watch his pirouettes". DuPont is both beautiful, serene, and the most perfect "Aurora". Her sense of balance is amazing - no wobbling. One can sense her tremendous athleticism and agility. I highly recommend this performance to anyone regardless of their knowledge or interest in ballet. It's very satisfying.

Tchaikovsky, Petipa - Swan Lake / Kirov Ballet, Yulia Makhalina, Igor Zelensky

Average customer rating:

ABT/KIROV
One of the best I've seen
The best version of Swan Lake
Great Swan Lake DVD

Tchaikovsky, Petipa - Swan Lake / Kirov Ballet, Yulia Makhalina, Igor Zelensky
Starring: Kirov Ballet , Yulia Makhalina , and Igor Zelensky
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video