BALLET ON DVD
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New and coming releases
Romeo and Juliet / Galina Ulanova, Leonid Lavrovsky, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky (1954)
...Matchless for its dramatic power...and Ulanova s Juliet is unforgettable. -Clive Barnes
A historic performance by the legendary Galina Ulanova, with the Bolshoi Ballet, highlights this lush production of the ever-popular ballet.
Choreographed by Leonid Lavrovsky and conducted by world famous Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, this film is rich in detail and characterized by its lovely interior and exterior location work.
Yuri Zhdanov is the young Romeo to Ulanova s unforgettable Juliet. A great ballet is here filmed paying great attention to all the values: musical, choreographic and scenic.
This remastered version eliminates the narration that heretofore had interrupted Prokofiev's score at critical points in the ballet.
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Serata Con Carla Fracci (1973)
The title of this DVD translates as "An Evening With Carla Fracci". It was an Italian TV broadcast from 1973 and is a delightful, rare gem. It shows Carla dancing in classical ballet pieces: Sleeping Beauty - finale, Romeo and Juliet balcony scene - Cranko version, and segments of a traditional private ballet class at La Scala - some barre and center.
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Spartacus / Yuri Grigorovich, Natalia Bessmertnova, Vladimir Vasiliev, Orchestra of the Bolshoi (1977)
One of the best dance films every made - NY Times
Spartacus is the Bolshoi doing what the Bolshoi does best: interpreting contemporary works whose thematic origins are classic.
Vladimir Vasiliev, a dancer of unshakable heroic optimism, exceptional virtuosity, and irresistible dynamism (Horst Koegler), is perfect as Spartacus. Natalia Bessmertnova, one of the Bolshoi's most lyrical, feminine dancers, is also seen in one of her finest roles.
Anna Kisselgoff, dance critic of The New York Times, writes Yuri Grigorovich s Spartacus already familiar to American audiences, comes into its own here as both ballet and film. The inherent cinematic approach in Mr. Grigorovich s staging of Aram Khachaturia' s score falls perfectly in place... Vladimir Vasiliev, as the slave who leads an unsuccessful revolt against the Romans, dances and acts on a heroic level that is the performance of a lifetime. Marius Liepa matches him on every point magnificently as the villain, the Roman general Crassus, Natalia Bessmertnova and Nina Timofeyeva round out the ballet's great original cast. With its phalanxes confronting the camera head-on and its slow-motion shots of Mr. Vasiliev soaring through the sky, the film takes its chances. It is also one of the best dance films ever made.
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Swan Lake / Maya Plisetskaya, Bolshoi Theatre (1957)
...As Odette she is passionate. As Odile she is alluring. - NY Times
As a record of a great artist in her prime, this Swan Lake is a treasure. NY Times
Swan Lake tells the timeless tale of redemption through love. It is probably the best-known, best-loved of all the classical ballets, and, for the prima ballerina who dances the dual role of Odette and Odile, the supreme test of the dancer's craft.
Maya Plisetskaya's melting lyricism and superlative technique make her one of the greatest exponents of the dual role since the ballet's first production over a century ago.
Tchaikovsky's score, the first in his triumvirate of great ballets, is the perfect complement to the imaginative choreography that sets Swan Lake apart from anything that had preceded or has followed it. This production, filmed live at the Bolshoi Theatre, captures a great ballerina in her prime in an eternal classic.
Cast:
Odette/Odile...Maya Plisetskaya
Prince...N. Fadeyechev
Evil Spirit...V. Levashev
Jester...V. Khomyakov
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Katia et Volodia (1989)
French documentary by Dominique Delouche, with English sub-titles, on the the great Russian dancers Maximova and Vasiliev.
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Plisetskaya Dances / Maya Plisetskaya, Bolshoi Ballet (1964)
'The film captures the great ballerina at the height of her powers and gives more than a glimpse of what her art was like.' - NY Times.
Maya Plisetskaya, prima ballerina of Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet, is the subject of this documentary. Containing some rare footage of her as a child, it covers the development of her career and shows highlights from some of her greatest roles. Included in this film are scenes from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Spartacus, The Little Humpbacked Horse, Raymonda, The Stone Flower, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote and others.
A fascinating look at a world famous dancer, Plisetskaya Dances chronicles a career which has been little seen in the West, offering some important insights into the Soviet dance world. This film has been the recipient of many international awards.
Narrated In English.
Cast: Vladimir Vasiliev, Dmitri Begak, Yuri Zhdanov, Maris Liepa, Vladimir Tikhonov.
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Anna Karenina / Maya Plisetskaya, Alexander Godunov (1979)
Based on Leo Tolstoy's famous novel and choreographed by Maya Plisetskaya to music by Rodion Shchedrin, this film is a vehicle for the extraordinary talents of Mme. Plisetskaya. Co-starring the spectacular Alexander Godunov as Vronsky, Anna Karenina is a completely cinematic rendering of this acclaimed production, which has never before been seen in the United States. Dealing primarily with the psychological elements of the character of Anna, the ballet is a genuinely remarkable work, beautiful and penetrating.
Cast:
Anna Karenina: Maya Plisetskaya
Vronsky: Alexander Godunov
Karenin: Vladimir Tihonov
Station Master: Yuri Vladimirov
Choreography: Maya Plisetskaya
Composer: Rodion Shchedrin
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Firestone Dances: Historic Ballet Performances (1962)
For more than thirty years, The Voice of Firestone brought the world's greatest artists into the homes of music lovers. Now, through a special arrangement with the New England Conservatory in Boston, Kultur is proud to make these rare telecasts available.
Among the treasures from the Firestone archives are Rudolf Nureyev's American television solo debut; the legendary team of Jacques D'Amboise and Melissa Hayden; the brilliant Maria Tallchief; Carla Fracci in a rare Pas de Quatre set to the music of Pugni; as well as principal dancers of the Royal Danish Ballet and a performance by the Ballet Espanol Ximenes-Vargas.
Ballet Espanol Ximenes-Vargas: Andalusian Dances
Maria Tallchief: Variations after Degas
Maria Tallchief and Oleg Tupine: Caprice
Rudolph Nureyev: Variation from The Sleeping Beauty
Rudolph Nureyev: Variation from Gayne
Kirsten Simone and Henning Kronstam: Pas de deux from The Sleeping Beauty
Carla Fracci: Variation from Pas de quatre
Jacques D'Amboise and Melissa Hayden: Pas de deux
Jacques D'Amboise and Melissa Hayden: Pas de deux from Don Quixote
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Giselle. Ludmilla Semenyaka, Valery Anisimov, Nadezhda Gracheva, The Bolshoi Ballet.
Giselle. Ludmilla Semenyaka, Valery Anisimov, Nadezhda Gracheva, The Bolshoi Ballet.
A more-or-less complete version of Giselle (the act one Peasant Pas de Deux is omitted), filmed as a mixture of documentary and performance. Semenyaka is filmed at home and in the theatre, with her baby son, preparing for the performance, and receiving congratulations afterwards; and there are occasional shots into the wings during the course of the performance, which was filmed at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1993.
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Stars of the Russian Ballet / Galina Ulanova, Maya Plisetskaya, Vakhtang Chabukiani, Boris Asafiev (1953)
We will never see dancers quite like this again. - Clive Barnes.
The first part of this film features Galina Ulanova in excerpts from Tchaikovsky s Swan Lake. Utilizing dazzling special effects, this production takes full advantage of the artistic qualities of the cinema, rather than merely recording the event. This is truly an historical film document, for it is the only extant tape of Ulanova as Odette.
The second part of this three-part ballet film contains a most unusual event, a one-of-a kind sequence in which two of the world s greatest ballerinas, Galina Ulanova and Maya Plisetskaya, dance together in a memorable performance of B.V. Asafiev s ballet, The Fountain Of Bakhchisarai. This is the only filmed record of these two great dancers performing together and it provides a unique opportunity to compare their different styles.
The great Russian dancer Vakhtang Chabukiani, is featured in the third part of this film in a performance of B.V. Asafiev's The Flames Of Paris, which is a colorful homage to the French Revolution. This film also features the soloists and ballet troupe of the Bolshoi Theatre, and soloists, ballet troupe, choir and orchestra of the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Swan Lake
Odette...Galina Ulanova
Odile...Natalia Dudinskaya
Prince...Konstantin Sergeyev
The Fountain Of Bakhchisarai
Maria...Galina Ulanova
Zarema...Maya Plisetskaya
Girzi...Peter Gussiev
Vaclav...Yuri Zhdanov
The Flames Of Paris
Philippe...Vakhtang Chabukiani
Jeanne...M. Gottlieb
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La Bayadere - Gabriella Komleva / Kirov Ballet
Here is La Bayadere (The Temple Dancer) a ballet in three acts performed by the company that first brought it to the West. Filmed at the Kirov Theater (on the stage where it was premiered in 1877), La Bayadere stars Gabriella Komleva as the pathetic temple dancer, Nikia; Tatiana Terekhova as Gamzatti, the Rajah s daughter, and Rejen Abdyev as Prince Solor.
Based on an ancient Indian poem, the ballet concerns the love between Nikia and Solor. Solor, unfortunately, is obliged to wed Ganeatti, who murders her rival by sending a basket of flowers hiding a poisonous snake. After Nikia s death, the inconsolable Solor envisions Nikia inviting him to join her in the Kingdom of the Shades. In their final dance together, they manage to find a measure of happiness among the phantoms of other maidens who have died of unrequited love. A piece of history, and a work of art, La Bayadere is quite simply a gem to be savored again and again.
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Vaganova Ballet Classes - Starring: Vaganova Ballet Academy, Director: Altynay Asylmuratova
Vladimir Issaev, Choreographer and Ballet Master proudly presents this first DVD of The Vaganova Ballet Academy, featuring an authentic Vaganova Ballet Class at the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Artistic Director, Mme. Altynay Asylmuratova, formerly prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Ballet (Kirov) introduces the class by highlighting the strong influence that Ballet Mistress Agrippina Vaganova produced in the Dance Method by the greatest dancers in Ballet History. The class is performed in the classroom where Agrippina Vaganova taught and Marius Petipa created his most magnificent ballets.
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Swan Lake - Uliana Lopatkina / Mariinsky Ballet
Konstantin Sergeyev's production of the Petipa/Ivanov choreography, filmed live at the Mariinsky Theatre in 2006.
Uliana Lopatkina, Danila Korsuntsev, Ilya Kuznetsov
An abridged version was broadcast on BBC television in the UK: this DVD is of the complete ballet.
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Macbeth - Nina Timofeyeva / Bolshoi Ballet
Shakespeare's masterpiece of murder and intrigue in mist-shrouded Scotland is brought to life through dance in this superb production by the Bolshoi ballet, choreographed by Vladimir Vasiliev to a powerful score by composer Kirill Molchanov. Macbeth stars Alexei Fadeyechev in the title role, and Nina Timofeyeva as his unscrupulous consort. Vasiliev has included most of the primary themes of the Shakespeare s drama the meeting with the three witches (the weird sisters who prophesy Macbeth s glory and Banquo s death), the gnawing ambition of Lady Macbeth, the murders of King Duncan and Banquo, and the torment suffered by both Macbeth and his wife after they have completed their bloody climb to the Scottish throne. Vladimir Vasiliev has also elaborated magnificently on several motives that are tailor-made for choreography, while never allowing them to degenerate into mere display: the opening battle between Scottish and Norwegian armies and the banquet scene during which Macbeth defeats Banquo in a competition of strength. These are superb examples of modern ensemble dancing that heighten the dramatic impact of the work as a whole. Vasiliev s major departure from Shakespeare comes at the end of the ballet, when Macbeth, hounded by specters of his victims, is suddenly surrounded by the weird sisters who lure him into their devilish round dance. As their infernal ring draws inward, Macbeth realizes that there is no escape, and dies. Brilliantly danced, and acted with bloodcurdling conviction, Macbeth is superb entertainment for all.
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Sleeping Beauty: The Kirov Ballet / Alla Sizova, Natalia Dudinskaya, Natalia Makarova (1964)
The Kirov Ballet performs Sleeping Beauty, in this classic color motion picture from 1965, based on the original choreography by Marius Petipa. Kirov ballerina Alla Sizova stars as Princess Aurora, the role which made her a legend among dancers. In his review of the film, Clive Barnes called Sizova radiant and delicate, a great ballerina in the first flush of her powers. Yuri Solovyov co-stars as the Prince, Natalia Dudinskaya portrays Carabosse and a young Natalia Makarova has a featured role as Princess Florine.
Cast:
Aurora: Alla Sizova, Desire: Yujri Solovyov, Carabosse: Natalia Dudinskaya, Princess Florina: Natalia Makarova, Blue Bird: Valeri Panov, Lilac Fairy: Irina Baznenova, The Queen: Olga Zabotkina, The King: Vladimir Ukhov
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Dmitri Roudnev: Take Ballet Class in Russia
40 combinations including a bonus pointe-work section. Dmitri Roudnev offers you a ballet class in Russia with Madame Samoylova of the Lediah Ballet Academy of Russia, a certified extension of the Bolshoi School. Step into the studio to see the complete barre and center work of three, fourteen year old students in a Level 5 Vaganova Method ballet class. Features include emphasis on accents - the Russian secret for sharp footwork at the barre, epaulment, and many center jump combinations. This dvd features the music of Roudnev's VOL VIII CD, which Roudnev recorded in Russia.
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Partnering Secrets: Dmitri Roudnev
Dmitri Roudnev gives insight to the years of partnering training he received at the famed Bolshoi school and company in Russia. Roudnev carefully breaks down each step including body placement coaching for females. This video features extreme close-ups of the hand technique for males. Beginners: Before you take your first partnering class build confidence. Advanced and professional dancers: Roudnev will show you technically how to never miss a lift again. Teachers: Learn how to correctly teach partnering to male and female students. Includes: placement review, pirouettes, finger and whip turns, sit lifts, arabesque press, and overhead lifts.
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Ballets Russes
Part history, part love letter, Ballets Russes may be the most purely delightful documentary in years. The movie follows the birth of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in the early 1930s, an event that eventually led--after years of exhilarating experiments, bitter artistic battles, and exhausting tours--to the establishment of modern ballet around the world. Ballet Russes combines astonishing film footage of fantastical ballets (featuring extravagant sets designed by Salvador Dali and costumes by Henri Matisse) and interviews with surviving dancers in their 70s, 80s, and 90s (ranging from Dame Alicia Markova, who was a prima ballerina with the original Ballet Russe under impresario Sergei Diaghilev, to Yvonne Craig, who went on to become Batgirl in the '60s tv show Batman); the result is a breathtaking range of scholarship and depth of feeling. The heart of the film is the dancers themselves, who are sly, thoughtful, gossipy, and amazingly youthful in spirit--even the most difficult times are discussed with humor and honesty. Ballet fans will find this an essential document, while anyone who's never even thought of going to ballet will be completely caught up in these dancers' passion and wonder. A beautiful, entrancing movie.
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Tony Palmer's Film About Margot Fonteyn
Margot Fonteyn was the greatest dancer England has ever produced. In her life she transcended the world of dance and became a tabloid darling second to none, a true celebrity. And when, already in her forties, Fonteyn teamed up with Rudolf Nureyev, their astonishing union created one of the most brilliant and magical partnerships in all of ballet history. Their artistic and sexual chemistry electrified all those who were lucky enough to watch them perform. But her remarkable talent and façade of fastidious primness masked a dark torrent within. Fonteyn’s life was the stuff of unimaginable fiction: taken as an underage mistress; married to a Panamanian Ambassador; involved in an attempted coup; the lover of innumerable, often homosexual, public figures; a cultural icon of the swinging sixties; betrayed by her husband’s family, and, above all, a dancer of extraordinary physical eloquence and purity – all culminating in this fragile beauty dying a penniless, lonely recluse. This gripping film uncovers a mountain of archive footage, including memorable performances with Nureyev, and meetings with those who danced with her, knew her, and loved her.
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Giselle / Svetlana Zakharova, Roberto Bolle
Giselle
Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 2005
Svetlana Zakharova (Giselle)
Roberto Bolle (Albrecht)
Vittorio D’Amato (Hilarion)
Sophie Sarrote (A peasant)
Antonino Sutera (A peasant)
Marta Romagna (Mirta)
Orchestra e Corpo di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala
Release date: July 25 2006
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Balanchine - Jewels / Aurelie Dupont, Alessio Carbone, Marie-Agnes Gillot, Agnes Letestu, Jean-Guillaume Bart, Clairemarie Osta, Kader Belarbi, Paris Opera Ballet
George Balanchine's 1967 masterpiece, a triptych of three abstract ballets to music by Fauré, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky, with a stellar cast including Aurélie Dupont, Marie-Agnès Gillot, Agnès Letestu, Clairemarie Osta, Laëtitia Pujol, Jean-Guillaume Bart, Kader Belarbi, and Mathie Ganio. Also included on the DVD is an hour-long documentary, George Balanchine Forever, featuring interviews with Brigitte Lefère, designer Christian Lacroix, Chairman of the Balanchine Foundation Barbara Horgan, and dancers from the production of Jewels.
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Napoli / Royal Danish Ballet, Arne Villumsen, Linda Hindberg
The dramatic tradition of the remarkable dancer and choreographer, August Bournonville, is the keystone of the continuing excellence of the Royal Danish Ballet, and Napoli is his happiest masterpiece. Persuaded by his friend Hans Christian Andersen to travel to Italy, Bournonville was inspired by his stay in Naples to create this romantic ballet, which tells the story of the young fisherman Gennaro and his beloved Teresina.
From The Royal Theatre, Copenhagen; The Royal Danish Ballet. Music By E Helsted, G Rossini, Niels W Gade, H S Paulli, H C Lumbye.
Gennaro, a fisherman: Arne Villumsen. Veronica, a widow: Mona Jensen. Teresina, her daughter: Linda Hindberg. Fra Ambrosio, a monk: Tommy Frishøi.
Giacomo, a macaroni seller: Fredbjørn Bjørnson. Peppo, a lemonade seller: Flemming Ryberg. Giovanina: Annemarie Dybdal. Pascarillo, a street singer: Michael Bastian.
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La Sylphide - Royal Danish Ballet
From The Royal Theatre, Copenhagen with The Royal Danish Ballet. When Lis Jeppesen - the Sylphide of our time - in diaphanous white costume and with shining wings, dances for the Scottish farmer James, whom she has entranced with her love and beauty, we are witnessing the first scene of the most famous and enduring ballet by August Bournonville. The great Danish choreographer and former dancer (he had partnered Marie Taglioni) created La Sylphide for the Royal Danish Ballet in 1836. Of all his surviving ballets it is the oldest and most widely performed. The Royal Danish Ballet rightly regards its interpretations of the Bournonville classics as being in the purest and most faithfully maintained tradition. Lis Jeppesen dances the lead role of La Sylphide, a role which demands lyrical interpretation as well as superb technique. Equal expressiveness and faultless dancing are required of James, here performed by Nikolaj Hübbe. Sorella Englund is the brilliant interpreter of the role of Madge, the witch and fortune-teller, whose rejection by James leads her to seek dreadful revenge on him, with tragic consequences. Gurn: Morten Munksdorf, Effy: Ann-Kristin Hauge, Anna: Kirsten Simone, Nancy: Anne-Marie Vessel.
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DVD: The Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet
Now on DVD! The essential video dictionary of all classical ballet movements performed by some of the greatest names in American Ballet. Teachers and students alike find the Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet the most innovative and dynamic tool ever developed for learning and studying the movements of ballet. 4 1/2 hours on two DVDs, this set includes over 800 variations in Russian, French, and Cecchetti styles. Many of the movements are shown in slow motion with multiple camera angles and voice-over narrative description. This engaging program demonstrates the complete language of ballet:Positions and Directions • Barre • Linking Steps • Center Practice • Pirouettes • Adage • Allegro • Batterie • Pointe • Musical Enchainements. For easy reference, a printed index of all the movements and variations performed is included. This comprehensive guide is demonstrated by four of the most outstanding figures in American Ballet: • Kevin McKenzie (Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre, former principal dancer, ABT) • Georgina Parkinson (Ballet Mistress of ABT; former principal dancer, Royal Ballet) • Merrill Ashley (former principal dancer, New York City Ballet) • Denise Jackson (former principal dancer, Joffrey Ballet)
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The Sleeping Beauty. Alina Cojocaru, Federico Bonelli, The Royal Ballet
La Fille Mal Gardee (2005) - Royal Ballet. Carlos Acosta, Marianela Nuñez
Giselle. Laetitia Pujol, Nicolas Le Riche, Marie-Agnes Gillot, The Paris Opera Ballet.
Don Quixote. Nina Ananiashvili, Alexei Fadeyechev, Aleksandr Astafiev, Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet.
Swan Lake. Nina Ananiashvili, Alexei Fadeyechev, Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet (1992)
