Sleeping Beauty (Jetlag Productions)

Starring:Sleeping Beauty
Studio: Good Times Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

WONDERFUL MOVIE FOR CHILDREN TO WATCH + 10
Once upon a DREAM . . . Good & Dark Fairies, Kings & Princes, Fire Breathing Dragon & a Golden Beauty
One of the best
Sleeping Beauty
GREAT

Sleeping Beauty (Special Edition)
Starring: Eleanor Audley , Candy Candido , Pinto Colvig , Verna Felton , and Taylor Holmes
Director: Les Clark , Eric Larson , Clyde Geronimi , and Wolfgang Reitherman
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adapted from Books | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Fairy Tales | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Pinocchio (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)
Peter Pan (2-Disc Platinum Edition)

ASIN: B00005JKHN
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Amazon.com

Disney's 1959 animated effort was the studio's most ambitious to date, a widescreen spectacle boasting a gorgeous waltz-filled score adapting Tchaikovsky. In the 14th century, the malevolent Maleficent (not dissimilar to the wicked Queen in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) taunts a king that his infant Aurora will fatally prick her finger on a spinning wheel before sundown on her 16th birthday. This, of course, would deny her a happily-ever-after with her true love. Things almost but not quite turn out that way, thanks to the assistance of some bubbly, bumbling fairies named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. It's not really all that much about the title character--how interesting can someone in the middle of a long nap be, anyway? Instead, those fairies carry the day, as well as, of course, good Prince Phillip, whose battle with the malevolent Maleficent in the guise of a dragon has been co-opted by any number of animated films since. See it in its original glory here. And Malificent's castle, filled with warthogs and demonic imps in a macabre dance celebrating their evil ways, manages a certain creepy grandeur. --David Kronke

Description

Heralded by audiences and critics alike, SLEEPING BEAUTY was the final fairy tale to be produced by Walt Disney himself. Now fully restored with revolutionary digital technology, its dazzling colors, rich backgrounds, and Academy Award(R)-nominated orchestrations shine brighter than ever. When an enchanted kingdom and the most fair princess in the land fall prey to the ultimate mistress of evil, the fate of the empire rests in the hands of three small fairies and a courageous prince's magic kiss. Their quest is fraught with peril as the fellowship must battle the evil witch and a fire-breathing dragon if they are to set the Beauty free. From spectacular action to the breathtaking pageantry of the princess and her kingdom, SLEEPING BEAUTY has something to charm every member of your family.

Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL MOVIE FOR CHILDREN TO WATCH + 10.......2007-07-01

SLEEPING BEAUTY IS A WONDERFUL MOVIE FOR CHILDREN.THERE IS NO VIOLENCE FOR CHILDREN TO SEE IN THIS MOVIE.LIKE OTHER DISNEY MOVIES THAT ARE COMING OUT NOW.I HAVE THIS MOVIE BOUGHT 2 OF THEM ONE FOR MY DAUGHTER ONE FOR HER GIRLFRIENDS BIRTHDAY.I AM SO PICKY AND MAD OVER SOME OF DISNEY'S REMAKES THAT HAS SO MUCH VIOLENCE IN THEM.NOT GOOD FOR ANY CHILD TO WATCH.I HAVE NOT BOUGHT MANY OF DISNEYS NEW MOVIES DUE TO THIS REASON.THERE IS ENOUGH VIOLENCE IN THIS WORLD" OUR CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE TO SEE IT IN DISNEY MOVIES"WHAT IS DISNEY THINKING MAKING THESE VIOLENT MOVIES FOR KIDS. CHARACTERS HITTING EACH OTHER CALLING NAMES IS IT FOR THE MONEY? THE WAY OF THE WORLD NOW? ALSO TEACHING CHILDREN ITS OK TO HIT EACH OTHER AND CALL NAMES YELLING AT EACH OTHER" BEST MOVIES FOR CHILDREN TO SEE ARE, JUNGLE BOOK LIMITED ISSUE,PETER PAN LIMITED ISSUE,PINOCCHIO LIMITED ISSUE, 101 DALMATIANS LIMITED ISSUE, SLEEPING BEAUTY, SNOW WHITE, I GIVE ALL THESE MOVIES 10 STARS.************************** I DO NOT EVEN RECOMMEND CINDERELLA THE NEW RELEASE ANYMORE" ALSO MANY MORE NEW RERELEASES, DISNEY RUINED THE OLD TARZAN DVD WITH A NEW REMAKE" TARZAN IS SUCH A WONDERFUL MOVIE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS I HAVE THE LIMITED ISSUE MY FAMILY LOVES THIS MOVIE SO HEARTWARMING TO WATCH" ALL THE DISNEY LIMITED ISSUE DVDS ARE THE BEST FOR ALL CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO WATCH''FORGET THE 2 DVDS NEW EDITIONS" JUST CHEAP REMAKES"
ALL OF DISNEY'S
LIMITED ISSUES FIRST RELEASED ARE THE BEST ONES TO BUY" BEFORE THEY ARE ALL GONE FOR GOOD''''

Once upon a DREAM . . . Good & Dark Fairies, Kings & Princes, Fire Breathing Dragon & a Golden Beauty.......2007-06-16

Once upon a Dream, many moons ago, when I was a child; I viewed this Dark Disney Fairy Tale and became instantly mesmirized by all fairy folk and tales to be told. Dear Walt gave us little gals the imagined lore of pretty Princess's or Princess's to be. As well as the Tom boy in me, the warrior Princes with sword and shield fighting for the greatest cause . . . defending ones kingdom from evil overbearing forces.

My undying luv for the winged serpents of old - Dragons, is all given credit due to my favorite Walt Disney villian . . .
Malevolent Maleficent, considered a Dark Fairy (more suitable in Disney standards of the time than a witch) who transformed her being into the statuesque purple fire breathing dragon in the ending battle together with Prince Phillip and the delightful fairies; Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather to save the realm from darkness.

MALEVOLENT MALEFICENT, THE DARKEST FAIRY - notable quotes:
"The Forest of Thorns shall be his tomb!
Move through the skies on a fog of doom!
Now go with the curse, and serve me well!
Round Stefan's Castle, CAST MY SPELL!"

"She is indeed, most wondrous fair.
Gold of sunshine in her hair,
lips that shame the red red rose.
In ageless sleep, she finds repose.
The years roll by, but a a hundred years to a steadfast heart, are but a day.
And now, the gates of a dungeon part, and our prince is free to go his way.
Off he rides, on his noble steed, a valiant figure, straight and tall!
To wake his love with "loves' first kiss"! And prove that "true love" conquers all! AHAHAHAHAHA!"

SLEEPYING BEAUTY is most intoxicating, hilariously funny, beautiful artistry, classical music and captivating characters immortalized. Both an enchantment and fulfilling destiny, from a prickling finger to a long awaited magical kiss.

Other Disney's to see in the realm of Princess Fairy tales:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition)
Cinderella (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Platinum Edition)

Walt Disney has been adored and admired by many generations since his beginning in the movie animation industry. Sir Walt has become a part of movie making history and his Disney kingdom will continue to grow, and for future generations, his legend will live on evermore.

LadyGray quote:
"The last in Sir Walts time, a Fairy Tale to be told;
The setting of the stage is a unique Dark Disney mold.
This adventurous stunning musical for all to see and believe;
A long quest to save a kingdom and release Sleeping Beauty free."

LadyGray
Author of the Yuletide Tale - White Holly

One of the best.......2007-05-31

I purchased this DVD at a used bookstore for $14.95 and I was expecting it to be damaged in some way, but it wasn't!

Anyway, this is the classic Disney movie about a jealous witch, a beautiful princess, three bumbling fairies, a handsome prince, and the spell.

I highly recommend that everyone watch this movie with their children.

A+++

Sleeping Beauty.......2007-05-08

It took really long for delivery, however, it's a great classic and worth it! I'm glad that even though it was sent back into the Disney Vault, I was still able to get it on Amazon!

GREAT.......2007-04-13

GREAT FLICK FOR THE LITTLE PRINCESS IN YOUR LIFE, A CLASSIC, IT WILL NEVER LOSE IT'S VALUE OR POPULARITY

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

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Balanchine - Jewels / Aurelie Dupont, Alessio Carbone, Marie-Agnes Gillot, Agnes Letestu, Jean-Guillaume Bart, Clairemarie Osta, Kader Belarbi, Paris Opera Ballet
Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / American Ballet Theatre, Murphy, Corella
Minkus - La Bayadere / Guerin, Hilaire, Platel, Paris Ballet
Lacotte - La Sylphide / Aurelie Dupont, Mathieu Ganio, Melanie Hurel, Jean-Marie Didiere, Ermanna Floria, Paris Opera Ballet
Cesare Pugni - La Fille du Pharaon (The Pharoah's Daughter) / Zakharova, Filin, Alexandrova, Yanin, Lacotte, Bolshoi Ballet

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 - The Sleeping Beauty / Durante, Solymosi, Dowell, Royal Ballet

Average customer rating:

A great resource for any ballet dancer
The best version on DVD - 5 STARS
Cabinet of Dr Carabosse
They are all stars
Very good performance

Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Durante, Solymosi, Dowell, Royal Ballet
Starring: Viviana Durante , Zoltan Solymosi , Anthony Dowell , Benazir Hussein , and William Tuckett
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Makarova, Dowell, Royal Ballet Covent Garden
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli
Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / American Ballet Theatre, Murphy, Corella
Prokofiev - Cinderella / Sibley, Dowell, Royal Ballet
Don Quixote / Baryshnikov, Harvey, American Ballet Theatre

ASIN: B00005RIXT
Release Date: 1997-02-27

Amazon.com

This ballet may be Tchaikovsky's grandest achievement, The Nutcracker's eternal popularity notwithstanding. And when in the hands (and feet!) of the Royal Ballet, whose superlative 1994 production has been taped for posterity, the composer's singular genius for dance becomes palpable to even the most casual viewers. With choreography by Marius Petipa (who updates Kenneth Macmillan's and Anthony Dowell's work from earlier stagings) and with Dowell's lovely production, the Royal Ballet demonstrates yet again its preeminence in the world of ballet. Viviana Durante dances the princess with otherworldly grace and fluidity, and her partner Zoltan Solymosi's prince is impossibly agile and equally graceful. Dowell even contributes wonderful comic relief as the evil fairy. Barry Wordsworth and the Royal Orchestra do Tchaikovsky's beautiful score, and the remarkable dancers, justice. A ballet company at its considerable performing peak has been preserved for all. --Kevin Filipski

Customer Reviews:

A great resource for any ballet dancer.......2007-05-11

My ballet students are studying this classical ballet and this video helped them understand the discipline and passion it takes to become a dancer. I appreciate the quality and the short time it took for me to get the video.

The best version on DVD - 5 STARS.......2007-04-12

I recently bought this DVD because The Royal Ballet is my favorite ballet company in the world. Honestly, The Sleeping Beauty has never been among my list of favorite ballets (I prefer the Romantic era ballets over the Classical; i.e Giselle and La Sylphide). But, I must say, this DVD completely sold me. Viviana Durante is wonderful in the role of Aurora and Zoltan Solymosi is a regal prince indeed. Ms. Durante's performance is as close to technical perfection as a ballerina can get.

I usually go to the ballet for the entire theatrical experience (not just the dancing) so the sets and costumes are all very important to me. Maria Bjornson did wonderful sets and costumes in "The Phantom of the Opera" musical and I loved her work then but I had never seen any of her ballets or operas until seeing this DVD. The sets and costumes are gorgeous; a feast for the eyes.

I highly recommend this DVD. As usual, The Royal Ballet does it best!

NOTE: for some reason the site would not let me rate it 5 stars but it is a 5 STAR product.

Cabinet of Dr Carabosse.......2007-02-05

Great great dancing! Fantastic music! But the designs! YIKES!

Alas, design plays a huge part in this ballet, more so than in most. And this production's are crap. Ugly and dark and inexplicable, the sets belong to some German expressionist silent film or an Alfred Hitchcock suspense climax. Where are Kim Novak and Jimmy Stuart when you need them? And Edith Head....who might have saved the show costume-wise.
Y'know part of the fun of this ballet is the sleeping court waking up in styles that are 100 years old. Then everyone is gloriously "up to date" for the whoop-de-do in Act III. In this version the court sees no reason to change. This and utterly bizzare stuff like shaking, floating dinner chairs with Carabosse emerging from under the table just make one moan.

But the fabulous dancing and mime [Carabosse is wonderful....even if she does come from under the table] just make one smile with joy. Definitely worth seeing at least once.

They are all stars.......2007-01-10

As a ballet lover of many years, I was utterly transported watching this superb performance of one of my favourite ballets. Everything about it was absolutely tops: sets, costumes, lighting, music - and of course the dancers. Viviana Durante who I had not seen dance before was technically and dramatically a lyrical and beautiful Aurora. She reminded me of Alessandra Ferri. Solymosi was a to-awaken-for prince - and their partnership in dance was out of this world. The Lilac Fairy (Benazir) was gracious and firmly sent the wicked witch on her way. Carabosse (Dowell) has lost none of his dramatic skill.
The Royal Ballet corps showed its usual precision and excellence.
When I was a child in the 1940s my parents took me to see Sadlers Wells Ballet company - precursors of the Royal Ballet - at the Royal Opera House. It was a signature experience for me. This version of the Sleeping Beauty reawakened that memory. Bravo.

Very good performance.......2006-08-24

I had never been very interested in Ballet till I found this video by the Royal Ballet of the Covent Garden.

I will try to describe my impressions schematically (I cannot help it, I am an engineer, haha):

Video Quality:
--------------
It is acceptable enough as the video has been recorded on the 90's.

Music
-----
The quality of the audio is fine, and the interpretation in very intense. I have to admit that I used to think that Ballet spoiled the music so to give more "room" to the dancers but that was, definitely, not the case.

Dance
-----
Well, there is a big brighting star here, and it is Aurora, no doubt. The role is played by an, almost anorexic, ballerina (Viviana Durante) which brings out a lovely, fresh, happy princess. She has great technique of feet, impressing leg extensions, she is very quick and nervous in movement and she is a great actress (compensating 100% the lack of phisical presence that she has, (as she is so thin) the fact that her jumps are not powerful).
On the other hand, the prince role is not convincing. I find the male main character performance very artificial. However, as he has such good phisical condition, one can always enjoy with his jumping and turning, etc.

Other characters are the fairies, played by Debbie Bull, Benazir Hussein, etc. Some of their performances are really brilliant, most of all their solos.

Some pas a deux such as the birds'one are simply great.

In general, the story is well developed and most of the dancers are very good. Again, the prince (Zolymosi) is not credible enough, what a pity!

COnclusion
----------

It is both a good performance and a good purchase. Enjoy!

(and excuse my awful english!)

Sleeping Beauty: The Classic Motion Picture With The Kirov Ballet / Alla Sizova, Natalia Dudinskaya, Natalia Makarova

Average customer rating:

Sleeping Beauty: The Classic Motion Picture With The Kirov Ballet / Alla Sizova, Natalia Dudinskaya, Natalia Makarova
Starring: Natalya Dudinskaya , Karin Hardt , Kirov Ballet , Natalya Makarova , and Alla Sizova
Director: Konstantin Sergeyev , and Apollinari Dudko
Manufacturer: KULTUR VIDEO
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Prokofiev - Ivan the Terrible, The Classic Motion Picture with The Bolshoi Ballet / Natalia Bessmertnova, Yuri Grigorovich
Eugene Onegin: The Classic Motion Picture With The Bolshoi Opera
Gayne Ballet
Paul Czinner: The Bolshoi Ballet [DVD Video]
World's Young Ballet / Moscow International Competition, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ludmila Semenyaka, Anna Pavlova

ASIN: B000RO6K1W
Release Date: 2007-08-28

Product Description

The Kirov Ballet in Tchaikovsky s Sleeping Beauty

The Kirov Ballet performs Tchaikovsky s beautiful ballet, Sleeping Beauty, in this classic color motion picture from 1965, based on the original choreography by Marius Petipa, which the New York Times called some of the finest classical choreography ever created.

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 Florina.

For a look at the great Kirov Ballet performing one of the world s most beloved ballet in an acclaimed film, this collector s item is truly the fairest of them all.

Cast
Aurora: ALLA SIZOVA
Desire: YURI SOLOVYOV
Carabosse: NATALIA DUDINSKAYA
Princess Florina: NATALIA MAKAROVA
Blue Bird: VALERI PANOV
Lilac Fairy: IRINA BAZHENOVA
The Queen: OLGA ZABOTKINA
The King: VLADIMIR UKHOV

Also featuring the dancers and orchestra of the Kirov State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, and students of the Vaganova Choreographic School.

Customer Reviews:

3-year old loves it, her parents get a good laugh.......2007-02-06

Yes, it's not Disney with its flawless animation and elaborate musical numbers. However, my child can't get enough of this video, and for the adults it has a lot of (intentional or not) funny moments with the fairy godmothers, the evil villaness, and the would-be hero prince.

The animation reminds me of the Care Bears. It's like the TV-movie version of Sleeping Beauty. Same story, not as sugary-sweet, but entertaining none the less.

not disney.......2007-01-11

I didn't realize that this was not Disney version. Went back and bought Disney version.

The Bolshoi Ballet: Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty

Average customer rating:

The Bolshoi Ballet: Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty
Starring: Natalya Bessmertnova , Irek Mukhamedov , Natalya Arkhipova , Nina Semizorova , and Alexei Fadeyechev
Director: Yuri Grigorovich
Manufacturer: Arthaus Musik
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000PA9NX0
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Kolpakova, Berezhnoi, Kunakova, Kirov Ballet

Average customer rating:

Beyond Perfection
As performed in 1890

Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Kolpakova, Berezhnoi, Kunakova, Kirov Ballet
Starring: Irina Kolpakova , and Kirov Opera Ballet
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / American Ballet Theatre, Murphy, Corella
The Kirov Celebrates Nijinsky / Sheherazade, La Spectre de la Rose, The Polovtsian Dances, The Firebird
Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Semizorova, Fadeyechev, Speranskaya, Kopilov, Bolshoi Ballet
Le Corsaire
Tchaikovsky, Petipa - Swan Lake / Kirov Ballet, Yulia Makhalina, Igor Zelensky

ASIN: B0009WIDXK
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Description

The Sleeping Beauty is the grandest of all the surviving 19th-century ballets and the supreme achievement of the imperial Russian ballet. First performed in 1890 at the Maryinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, the ballet has been preserved in continuous performance by the company that created it. The way in which the heirs of the old imperial ballet continue to honor the choreographic genius of Marius Petipa and the glories of Tchaikovsky's score, means that The Sleeping Beauty is ideally to be seen in the interpretation of the Kirov Ballet whose performance in the company's 200th year in 1982 was captured in this presentation. Leading the cast is Irina Kolpakova, recognised as one of the former Soviet Union's greatest ballerinas and justly celebrated throughout the world for the beauty and clarity of her classic dancing in the role of Princess Aurora. With Sergei Berezhoi as Prince Desire and Lubov Kunakova as The Lilac Fairy.

Customer Reviews:

Beyond Perfection.......2006-04-17

The ballerinas in this production by the Kirov are dazzling. One wonders how one company can have so many dancers operating at such a high level of brilliance. The set for Act 2 - enormous background paintings in fall colors - stands out in particular. But it is the dancing of the Corps, along with the individual fairies and Aurora herself, that make the viewing of this DVD a reason to go on living.

As performed in 1890.......2006-02-17

If you read between the lines of the Product Review, you should be forewarned enough not to buy this DVD. Irina Kolpakova may not have performed it in 1890, but she's no "spring chicken" here. She reminds me of Margot Fonteyn when she was way past her prime in Swan Lake with Rudolf Nureyev (on DVD, and also not the best). Neither had two feet off the ground at any time, although Fonteyn was vastly more graceful in her performance. The length of this performance (2:50) helps to make it unwatchable for any but those wanting to see it "as performed in 1890". Which leads to my main complaint. I have Swan Lake by the American Ballet Theatre and the Nutcracker by the Bolshoi (both 2005 editions), and the choreography and dancing skills are AWESOME - and even more so when compared to this production, which I suppose points out that these skills have improved over the years, especially when compared to a ballet company that seems to be stuck in 1890. I will say, though, that the Kirov did a good job with their Nutcracker (a 1994 edition, but danced in the '70's). The lighting in the second act made everything annoyingly pink, but otherwise not a bad production.

Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Semizorova, Fadeyechev, Speranskaya, Kopilov, Bolshoi Ballet

Average customer rating:

Do not buy from this seller
Long awaited
Excellent traditional Sleeping Beauty by the Bolshoi

Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Semizorova, Fadeyechev, Speranskaya, Kopilov, Bolshoi Ballet
Starring: Nina Semizorova , Nina Speranskaya , Aleksei Fadeyechev , Aleksandr Kopilov , and Bolshoi Opera Ballet
Manufacturer: Arthaus Musik
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Mikhalchenko, Vasyuchenko, Vetrov, Zhuraitis, Bolshoi Ballet
Khachaturian - Spartacus / Mukhamedov, Semenyaka, Vetrov, Bilova, Zhuraitis, Bolshoi Ballet
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Natalya Arkhipova, Irek Mukhamedov, Yuri Vetrov, Andrei Sitnikov, Ilze Liepa, Alexander Kopilov, Bolshoi
Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / American Ballet Theatre, Murphy, Corella
Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Aurelie Dupont, Manuel Legris, Vincent Cordier, Nathalie Quernet, Laurent Queval, Paris Opera Ballet

ASIN: B000A16I32
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Customer Reviews:

Do not buy from this seller.......2006-10-30

I paid extra for one day shipping, and never received the product. I want my money back.

Long awaited.......2006-05-02

I have waited so long to find a copy of The Bolshoi at the Bolshoi series version of 'The Sleeping Beauty' that I am blind to the faults that Marc points out in his review. (Most of the rest I have as videos.)

I enjoyed it thorougly. The choices of A. Vetrov as the Bluebird (if you like him, look for 'Swan Lake' and 'Romeo and Juliet' from the same series), and Y. Vetrov as Carabosse were so appropriate.

I cannot top what Marc said about Fadeyechev as Prince Desire.
[It was Marc who told me that the DVD was out.]

Excellent traditional Sleeping Beauty by the Bolshoi.......2006-04-15

This Sleeping Beauty was filmed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1989 and is a re-release of the Japan-produced "Bolshoi at the Bolshoi" series previously available on VHS. The films were shot without an audience, but are presented with overdubbed applause.

The Bolshoi dances Tchaikovsky's second and grandest ballet in the traditional staging completed in 1973 by then director Yuri Grigorovich, after Marius Petipa and with sets by Simon Virsaladze. At the time Grigorovich's staging was much closer to the original Petipa than the Kirov's own production (available on DVD with Kolpakova/Berezhnoi or Lezhnina/Ruzimatov). This production is still performed by the Bolshoi today.

The DVD features some of the foremost principal dancers of the day: Nina Semizorova as Princess Aurora, Nina Speranskaya as the Lilac Fairy, and Alexei Fadeyechev - easily one of the finest male dancers of the Moscow School from the 1980-90's and a danseur noble if ever there was one - as Prince D?sir?. Yuri Vetrov appears as Carabosse, while Maria Bylova and Alexander Vetrov dance the Blue Bird pas de deux. The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra is conducted by Alexander Kopylov.

As with all titles in this series, this disc is obviously a video transfer, leaving some of the movements blurred. The sound is offered in simple stereo.

The DVD release doesn't include any bonus material, but comes with a handsome three-language 20-page booklet, introducing and situating the work and the artists. An effort like this needs to saluted, however it will take a bit more accuracy than the Arthaus Musik writers are able to provide at this stage. For example, Kirov dancer, choreographer and artistic director Konstantin Sergeyev is not a son of Nikolai Sergeyev, as the booklet claims. Konstantin Sergeyev staged The Sleeping Beauty for the Kirov Ballet in 1952, but it is of course Nikolai, not Konstantin, who staged it for London's Sadler's Wells Theatre in 1939 and 1946.

Yet, to see the outstanding dancers of the Bolshoi, ballet enthusiasts needn't hesitate.

Dancer's Dream: The Great Ballets of Rudolf Nureyev - Sleeping Beauty

Average customer rating:

Andromeda
Excellent introduction to The Sleeping Beauty
Another masterpiece in this Paris Opera Ballet series.

Dancer's Dream: The Great Ballets of Rudolf Nureyev - Sleeping Beauty
Starring: Elisabeth Platel , Manuel Legris , and Clotilde Vayer
Manufacturer: Tdk DVD Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dancer's Dream: The Great Ballets of Rudolf Nureyev - Raymonda
Dancer's Dream: The Great Ballets of Rudolf Nureyev - La Bayadere
Documentary: Romeo & Juliet
Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty / Aurelie Dupont, Manuel Legris, Vincent Cordier, Nathalie Quernet, Laurent Queval, Paris Opera Ballet
Minkus - Don Quichotte / Dupont, Legris, Bart, Paris Ballet

ASIN: B0002F6B5G
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Customer Reviews:

Andromeda.......2006-02-09

I love these Paris Opera commentaries of Nureyev-staged ballets. It shows his influence on these excellent dancers. Elizabeth Platel is charming and hard working. I enjoyed immensely her efforts to do the perfect arabesque or the perfect pirouettes and especially her balances in the Rose adagio and Patricia Ruanne telling everybody to not talk while she is trying to concentrate so hard. The breakdown of how she gets from one end of the stage to the other and how to hold her bouquet is very absorbing to watch. One sees how she thinks about what she is doing. I enjoyed also the part where she viewed Manuel Legris in rehearsal trying the impossible jumps that Nureyev required of him and how they practiced their various pas de deux. There is really not much dancing here of the real ballet so it is not something for someone who wants to see the Sleeping Beauty ballet. Rather, it is more for students or those who are curious as to how artists work at what they do.

Excellent introduction to The Sleeping Beauty.......2004-12-24

This DVD is an excellent introduction to the current production of Rudolf Nureyev's version of "The Sleeping Beauty" as danced by the Paris Opera Ballet. Expertly narrated by étoile Elisabeth Platel, one of the great Parisian Aurora's of the last decades, this documentary takes you back to St. Petersburg and the origins of "The Sleeping Beauty", as the pinnacle of classical ballet in 1890, before moving to the work of Nureyev at the Paris Opera and the staging of his Beauty in 1989.

As in the other titles of this series "Dancer's Dream", the documentary seamlessly mixes interviews with dancers and ballet masters, with fragments of studio rehearsals and actual performance (danced by Platel and Manuel Legris), and forms the ideal companion to the full-length performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" by the Paris Opera Ballet, also available on DVD.

Another masterpiece in this Paris Opera Ballet series........2004-08-15

This ballet documentary is one of a series on ballets put together by Rudolf Nureyev for the Paris Opera Ballet.(You might find it helpful to read my reviews of the others, as well.) This documentary also includes the history of the ballet and the story of Sleeping Beauty, as well as rehearsals and lots of coaching discussions.(If you are only intersted in a performance of Sleeping Beauty this may not be for you.) By seeing some of the solo variations in rehearsal you can see more detail and gain more insight than in performance, most of the time(but not always!). Watching Elisabeth Platel(she plays princess Aurora) dance and work in rehearsal is an amazing experience. They also show us the special choreography Nureyev provided for the prince, danced by Manuel Legris very accurately. It is amazing!
In this documintary it is Patricia Ruanne (former ballerina with the Royal Ballet) who is the one coaching the principal dancers (in the La Bayadere documentary it was Ghislaine Thesmar). Her coaching is amazingly patient and professional, and a great deal of time is spent on this. Many seamless cuts are made between actual performance, dress rehearsal, and classroom rehearsal, and this helps keep it lively(this is done in all their documentaries in this series). Finally, the costumes, the colors, the scenary(the set designer, Ezio Frigerio, is also interviewed), the video quality, and the sound are all first class!