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BALLET Instruction on DVD. Instructional videos for toddler, child, adult, boy, girl, beginner, intermediate, advanced. | ||
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Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Collier, Dowell, Royal Ballet Covent Garden ~ Anthony Dowell, Guy Niblett, Lesley Collier, and Jonathan Cope (DVD - 2003) *
++++ Fantasy and magic are the essential ingredients of The Nutcracker, and Tchaikovsky’s imaginative score helps bring to life the fantasy world of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s enchanting story of "The Nutcracker and The Mouse King." Gennady Rozhdestvensky is the guest conductor who "drew ravishing playing from this most ravishing of Tchaikovsky’s ballet scores." (Guardian) Though the original scenario for The Nutcracker was considered to be fatally flawed, this magical work has survived to become one of the firmest favorites in the ballet repertory. This production by the Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Peter Wright, with the help of Tchaikovsky ballet expert Roland John Wiley, attempts to rescue from far-flung archives surviving evidence of the original Ivanov/Sergueyev staging, combined with some captivating modern stage effects. ++++ Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Collier, Dowell, Royal Ballet Covent Garden ~ Anthony Dowell, Guy Niblett, Lesley Collier, and Jonathan Cope (DVD - 2003) |
Les Ballets Trockadero, Vol. 1 ~ Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (DVD - 2002) *
++++ If you are looking for something a little different in ballet, you should try this. the Trockadero troupe offers comedy, men dancing on pointe as women, and men dancing as men.(unfortunately, they do not offer men dancing on pointe as men, which has been explored by others, nor do they explore women dancing as men.) They are very entertaining and dance quite well, showing a serious side in addition to the comedy. The company director points out that they also make it a point ( a pointe? ) to do unusual pieces, not done much by other companies, such as "Raymonda's Wedding" in volume one and "Yes Virginia, Another Piano Ballet" in volume two (volume two is also available through amazon.com ). As a male ballet dancer myself, the differences in what makes movement masculine or feminine is something I and all serious dancers explore; perhaps this troupe helps shed some light on this. The overall emphasis here is comedy, not any heavy message, so this dvd should appeal to a wide audience. ++++ Les Ballets Trockadero, Vol. 1 ~ Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (DVD - 2002) |
Les Ballets Trockadero. Vol. 2 ~ Ballets Trockadero (DVD - 2002) *
++++ Great photography and points of view-Vol One was equally entertaining. The possibility of freezing the action increases the pleasure of the very accomplished dancers by admiting their positions and , especially, their facial responses. ++++ Les Ballets Trockadero. Vol. 2 ~ Ballets Trockadero (DVD - 2002) |
Adam - Giselle / Svetlana Zakharova, Roberto Bolle, Vittorio d'Amato, La Scala Ballet ~ David Coleman, Marta Romagna, Antonino Sutera, and Sophie Sarrote (DVD - 2006) *
++++ It has been quite a long time since the ballet world has been blessed with a ballet duo the likes of Zakharova and Bolle. Their ability to perform with technical excellence and emotional intensity is very rare--and breathtaking! We are blessed with some nice releases on dvd by them(Swan Lake and La Bayadere). Perhaps it is in Giselle that we can experience the most realistic portrayal of human emotion in ballet, and Zakharova and Bolle do not disappoint us! This version has the most sizzling emotional intensity of any I have seen, both in act one and act two. In act one Zakharova displays youthful warmth and innocence and in act two, intense love, pain, and grief. Bolle also gives a very appropriate portrayal, showing real intensity throughout. All the scenes are equally magnificent, as is the supporting cast. It is a complete Giselle with the peasant pas de deux and all the group dances, as well as extensive choreography for Myrtha and the other wilis. Finally, the music, costumes, and scenery are also of the highest standard. The image quality and sound are likewise superb. It is packaged with a booklet. Unfortunately, there is no bonus material on the dvd. This is definitely one of the finest Giselle performances on dvd. ++++ Adam - Giselle / Svetlana Zakharova, Roberto Bolle, Vittorio d'Amato, La Scala Ballet ~ David Coleman, Marta Romagna, Antonino Sutera, and Sophie Sarrote (DVD - 2006) |
Minkus - La Bayadere / Guerin, Hilaire, Platel, Paris Ballet ~ Minkus, Isabelle Guerin, Laurent Hilaire, and Elisabeth Platel (DVD - 2004) *
++++ Exotic and mysterious India serves as the backdrop to this story of doomed love between the warrior Solor and the bayadère, Nikiya, who is killed by her jealous rival, Gamzatti. Breathtaking sets and costumes are designed by Ezio Frigerio and Franca Squarciapino in this exceptional production, recorded at the Palais Garnier in Paris. Direction and choreography in this fully restored version of Petipa's original ballet are by Rudolf Nureyev. Stars Isabelle Guérin, Laurent Hilaire, and Élisabeth Platel. ++++ Minkus - La Bayadere / Guerin, Hilaire, Platel, Paris Ballet ~ Minkus, Isabelle Guerin, Laurent Hilaire, and Elisabeth Platel (DVD - 2004) |
Gayane Ballet ~ Alexander Rumyantsev, Larisa Tuisova, and Gennady Gorbanev (DVD - 2007) *
++++ DESCRIPTION ++++ Gayane Ballet ~ Alexander Rumyantsev, Larisa Tuisova, and Gennady Gorbanev (DVD - 2007) |
Stravinsky - The Firebird & Les Noces / Royal Ballet ~ Jonathan Cope, The Royal Ballet, Leanne Benjamin, and Genesia Rosato (DVD - 2002) *
++++ The Royal Ballet's glorious Stravinsky Double Bill unleashes the spectacular production of "The Firebird" with the stark beauty of "Les Noces," magically choreographed by the legendary Nijinska. The all-star cast includes Zenaida Yanowsky and David Pickering as the Bride and Bridegroom in "Les Noces," Leanne Benjamin as The Firebird, Jonathan Cope as Ivan Tsarevich, Genesia Rosato as The Beautiful Tsarevna and as The Immortal Kostchei, David Drew, who recalls in an absorbing interview his role in Nijinska's original production of "Les Noces." As an added bonus, this unmissable DVD also includes exclusive behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of the two ballets. ++++ Stravinsky - The Firebird & Les Noces / Royal Ballet ~ Jonathan Cope, The Royal Ballet, Leanne Benjamin, and Genesia Rosato (DVD - 2002) |
The Ballet Workout Vol. 2: Strength and Conditioning ~ Melissa Lowe (DVD - 2004) *
++++ Discover the joy of movement and the beauty of dance with the second program in this series by Instructor Melissa Lowe. Melissa introduces two new workouts that will help you strengthen your muscles, get rid of cellulite, reshape, condition and tone your body. This workout will not only help you create the body you have always wanted, but will also help you gain an overall sense of well being. Previous ballet experience is helpful but not necessary. Success on both workouts lies in performing the exercises in the correct position and with the correct posture. Melissa Lowe received early training at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre where she was an apprentice to the company. She danced professionally with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Houston Ballet as a soloist and the Pacific Northwest Ballet as a principal dancer. She is currently a Professor of Ballet and the Director of Early Movement Education at the University of Arizona. ++++ The Ballet Workout Vol. 2: Strength and Conditioning ~ Melissa Lowe (DVD - 2004) |
Ballet Boot Camp Stretch ~ Jessica Sherwood (DVD - 2007) *
++++ This unique workout offers a varied, flowing mixture of stretches created to lengthen muscles, increase flexibility and release tight joints. This energising and strengthening workout will help you to build your center of power and develop your body's core muscle groups. You will elongate and strengthen your entire body, in particular your abdominal and back muscles, which are the foundation for enhanced fitness and athletic performance. For challenging ballet-based workouts check out Ballet Boot Camp 1 and 2. ++++ Ballet Boot Camp Stretch ~ Jessica Sherwood (DVD - 2007) |
Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet / Ferri, Eagling, Jefferies, Drew, Hosking, Macmillan, Lawrence, Royal Ballet ~ Alessandra Ferri, et al. (DVD - 2005) *
++++ Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet has long been one of the greatest successes in The Royal Ballet repertoire, winning worldwide acclaim as an impassioned and thrilling view of Shakespeare's tragedy and of Prokofiev's glorious score. His sensual choreography poignantly captures the conflict between blossoming love and cankerous revenge. Romeo and Juliet calls upon the full forces of a great company of dance-actors to present the street fights of the feuding Capulets and Montagues in renaissance Verona, and also to convey the splendour of such scenes as the Capulet ball. It also requires a ballerina and a premier danseur able to express the raptures and despair that mark the young lovers' tragedy. In Alessandra Ferri and Wayne Eagling the roles are lived with tremendous intensity, whether soaring during the balcony pas de deux or caught in the last agonizing moments in the Capulet vault. ++++ Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet / Ferri, Eagling, Jefferies, Drew, Hosking, Macmillan, Lawrence, Royal Ballet ~ Alessandra Ferri, et al. (DVD - 2005) |
Lacotte - La Sylphide / Aurelie Dupont, Mathieu Ganio, Melanie Hurel, Jean-Marie Didiere, Ermanna Floria, Paris Opera Ballet ~ Pierre Lacotte, Dupont, Ganio, and Hurel (DVD - 2005) *
++++ When La Sylphide first premiered on March 12, 1832, Marie Taglioni made ballet history by dancing in the first white tutu and dancing the whole performance en pointe. It is considered the first Romantic ballet (not the court dances or court-inspired dances of the time of Louix the Fourteenth). For the first time, a world of whimsy and poetic imagery was staged. La Sylphide tells the story of a Scotsman who is married but falls for a mysterious aerial creature- La Sylphide. There is much plotless dancing and beautiful forest scenery. A villain- Madge, bent on ruining the lovers. This production from 2004 is performed by the Paris Opera Ballet company. It's beautifully re-created from the original choreography by Taglioni. The music is masterfully orchestrated and the bonus feature recounting the history is a fine addition. Own this DVD today if you love classic ballet. ++++ Lacotte - La Sylphide / Aurelie Dupont, Mathieu Ganio, Melanie Hurel, Jean-Marie Didiere, Ermanna Floria, Paris Opera Ballet ~ Pierre Lacotte, Dupont, Ganio, and Hurel (DVD - 2005) |
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