Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (Matthew Bourne)

Starring:Adam Cooper, Scott Ambler, Fiona Chadwick, Barry Atkinson (II), Emily Piercy, Andrew Walkinshaw (II), Lee Boggess, Alex Rose (II), William Yong, Pablo Pena, Greig Cooke, Vicky Evans, Simon Reglar, Mark Mitchell (IV), Isabel Mortimer, Colin Ross-Waterson, Ross Cooper, Andrew Corbett, Heather Habens, Floyd Hendricks
Director: Matthew Bourne, Peter Mumford
Studio: Nvc Arts
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Swan Lake became an unexpected popular hit when radical choreographer Matthew Bourne took Tchaikovsky's traditional ballet by the scruff of the neck and reworked it with a myriad of modern influences and themes to astonishing effect. Seldom have the dark psychological riptides at the heart of so many classical ballets been so brilliantly exposed. The Prince (Scott Ambler) is a wretched and dissolute young man dominated by his mother, the Joan Collins-like Queen (Fiona Ambler). Shades of Tennessee Williams, indeed. Von Rothbart becomes a press secretary, more sinister eminence grise than hissable villain. Most startling of all, the Swan (Adam Cooper) is a muscular, emphatically masculine male.

Bourne has stressed the universality of his interpretation, which proved such a success for his Adventures in Motion Pictures dance company. And indeed this is never an overtly "gay" Swan Lake, although the electricity of the pas de deux at the height of Act 2 delivers a palpably homoerotic charge. Its universal threads--as Bourne suggests, the need to be held and understood is common to us all--are synthesized in the utterly moving conclusion as the Swan cradles the lifeless Prince and raises him to a better place. Swan Lake becomes a human, rather than simply romantic, tragedy. --Piers Ford
Description
Matthew Bourne, director and choreographer of Adventures in Motion Pictures--a maverick new modern dance company based in London--brings a new twist to an old classic with this production of "Swan Lake." Taking advantage of the public's preoccupation with the ups and downs of the royal family, Bourne has set his story in the modern era and has cast all the swans--including the Odette/Odile role--as males. Boutne's creation brings great ballet to an audience it has never before reached, and for cognoscenti offers a new view of the breadth of possibilty in Tchaikovsky's well-loved score. "Swan Lake" enjoyed a sold-out run in London and a subsequent critically acclaimed and public-adored Broadway stint.

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / American Ballet Theatre, Murphy, Corella
Average customer rating:

Very American

Amazing!

Marcelo Gomes steals the show

Virtuoso

Another Swan

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:

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.

Another Swan.......2007-02-25

I have many different versions of this ballet - each one has its own characteristics and charm. This one is not the best I have seen but it does has certain points that make it slightly different from others, and makes it interesting. It also is slightly American as it worries about rights of the individual and in ways being "politically correct". It is disappointing that a large chunk of act III is missing, but overall the dancing is good, costumes beautiful and presentation innovative and enthralling.

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

Average customer rating:

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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ASIN: B000G1ALF2
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Description

This classic Kirov production of Swan Lake by Oleg Vinogradov includes the familiar happy ending in the final act, where Siegfried fights and ultimately defeats the evil magician, von Rothbart, and at dawn is reunited with Odette. Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Choreography by Marius Petipa And Lev Ivanov, in A Version By Konstantin Sergeyev.
Odette/Odile: Yulia Makhalina; Prince Siegfried: Igor Zelensky; Rothbart: Eldar Aliyev; Court Jester:: Yuri Fateyev; The Princess Regent: Angelina Kashirina. Kirov Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Viktor Fedotov.

Customer Reviews:

One of the best I've seen.......2007-06-18

This version of Swan Lake is definitely one of the best ones I've ever seen - and I've seen a lot! Yulia Makhalina is a fantastic technical dancer (if that's what you are looking for) and her extensions are unbelievable. The Corps de Ballet does what Kirov Corp de Ballet has always done best - dance in fantastic unison. The sets are beautiful as are the costumes. If you want to see a truly moving version of this ballet, this is the one to watch.

The best version of Swan Lake.......2007-03-27

I have many versions of Swan Lake on DVD and I must say, this is by far, hands down, the best version. The Kirov's (now Mariinsky)Corps de Ballet is flawless and the two leads; Yulia Makhalina and Igor Zelensky give gorgeous, virtuoso performances.

I can't say enough good things about this performance. I highly recommend this DVD!!!

Great Swan Lake DVD.......2007-01-31

I do not know much about ballet and started enjoying recently. I saw Swan Lake by ABT and NYBT live but this was the best. I enjoyed it so much and watched it over and over thanks to Yulia Makhalina's excellent performance.

Although I enjoyed ABT and NYBT's performance, it was the first time that I felt like watching a real Swan in this Kirov's Swan Lake and could feel sadness and beauty of Odette. Makhalina performs Odette so beautifully and sadly and performs Odile so sexy and confidently at the same time. For odile part, I liked how she expresses in her eye before doing spins. I loved how Odette appears and dances in the lake for the first time. I also liked the part where Siegfried looks for Odette to ask for forgiveness. I don't know why nobody mentioned about this Swan Lake DVD. Please try it!!! You will really enjoy it.

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Nureyev, Letestu, Martinez, Paris Opera Ballet [HD DVD]

Average customer rating:

Great first ballet HDDVD
a night in at the ballet

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Nureyev, Letestu, Martinez, Paris Opera Ballet [HD DVD]
Starring: Rudolf Nureyev , Agnes Letestu , Jose Martinez , and Karl Paquette
Manufacturer: BBC / Opus Arte
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

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ASIN: B000OCZ80Q
Release Date: 2007-05-29

Customer Reviews:

Great first ballet HDDVD.......2007-07-06

First, the bad. On my HDA2, this disc craps out with an error at 1:05 into the ballet. I'm not sure if this is a player error or a format/DRM/SW error. This is not the only disc/instance that reports of this error has been mentioned. Checkout avsforum for details. I hope a future firmware update would fix this.

Now, the good. Ballet is glorious in HD and the POB is one of the finest companies in the world. I had seen POB live in Paris so I was looking forward to adding this to my collection. POB dancers are not as spectacular as ABT dancers with their acrobatic turns and jumps. But, you can really see the solid technique in everything they do, which sometimes takes your breadth away. In some respects HD reveals too much detail that most live audiences would never see. Ballet technique is top notch but you start to notice the emotionless acting (especially with Jose Martinez). Video editing work could be alot better as camera changes were too often and erratic for my taste. I would rather include alternative closeups as bonus material. The music was wonderful but all stage sound were suppressed. Again, this is my preference for not over producing a live performance.

a night in at the ballet.......2007-06-29

If your into your new hd dvd player and looking for new ways to expand your horizions!! This could be it..i'm not a huge fan of ballet myself, but with Tchaikovsky playing and a crystal clear picture hd dvd can even make ballet very enjoyable..so if your up for something new or already a big fan of ballet and Tchaikovsky. i say this is a must buy!! plus you don't have to get all dressed up and spend $200 to see

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (Matthew Bourne)

Average customer rating:

swan lake dvd
Not a fan of the choroegraphy, but can't knock the idea
Swan Lake Experience
And You Think Ballet is Not For YOU - Think Again!
Brilliant Theatre

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (Matthew Bourne)
Starring: Adam Cooper , Scott Ambler , Fiona Chadwick , Barry Atkinson (II) , and Emily Piercy
Director: Matthew Bourne , and Peter Mumford
Manufacturer: Nvc Arts
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004CWO8
Release Date: 2000-05-23

Amazon.com

Swan Lake became an unexpected popular hit when radical choreographer Matthew Bourne took Tchaikovsky's traditional ballet by the scruff of the neck and reworked it with a myriad of modern influences and themes to astonishing effect. Seldom have the dark psychological riptides at the heart of so many classical ballets been so brilliantly exposed. The Prince (Scott Ambler) is a wretched and dissolute young man dominated by his mother, the Joan Collins-like Queen (Fiona Ambler). Shades of Tennessee Williams, indeed. Von Rothbart becomes a press secretary, more sinister eminence grise than hissable villain. Most startling of all, the Swan (Adam Cooper) is a muscular, emphatically masculine male.

Description

Matthew Bourne, director and choreographer of Adventures in Motion Pictures--a maverick new modern dance company based in London--brings a new twist to an old classic with this production of "Swan Lake." Taking advantage of the public's preoccupation with the ups and downs of the royal family, Bourne has set his story in the modern era and has cast all the swans--including the Odette/Odile role--as males. Boutne's creation brings great ballet to an audience it has never before reached, and for cognoscenti offers a new view of the breadth of possibilty in Tchaikovsky's well-loved score. "Swan Lake" enjoyed a sold-out run in London and a subsequent critically acclaimed and public-adored Broadway stint.

Customer Reviews:

swan lake dvd.......2007-05-20

I found the DVD of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake excellent material and I have some friends queuing up to borrow the DVD. It arrived on time as promised by Amazon and the DVD was well worth the cost and the wait.

Not a fan of the choroegraphy, but can't knock the idea.......2007-05-18

Bourne's swan lake is an interesting twist on the traditional version. The choreography (especially for the swans) is very modern. Theatrical choreography is used throughout the show, which does have many good moments...but I can't say that I'm an overall fan of Bourne's choreography in this show. His Nuctracker is simply amazing though! When I saw Swan Lake live, I had the same feelings about it as I do about the video, but the "live" aspect at least allowed me to watch what ever I wanted to watch in the seen, and just made things more exciting all the way around.

Swan Lake Experience.......2007-05-14

I saw the live version of this production in Brisbane (April 2007) and it was truly magical and amazing. I did notice a couple of changes since the filming of the DVD. I love that Matthew Bourne's male swans portray the strength and well-known aggression of real life swans (not always easy to watch) and thoroughly enjoyed the DVD performances. It is good to have the traditional version of Swan Lake to turn to as well though, as I believe that it is important to preserve the original classical masterpieces that have inspired generations of lovers of dance.

And You Think Ballet is Not For YOU - Think Again!.......2007-05-13

If you remember the movie "Billy Elliot", Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake will be a great follow up. The last scene in Billy Elliot is of the Swan in this performance.

What Gilbert and Sullivan set out to do a century ago was to make opera popular with people who thought opera was above them. Bourne's work will have same effect on Ballet. It is truly wonderful and highly recommended.

Brilliant Theatre.......2007-03-14

Having seen this production both live and on TV it was a must to purchase the DVD. There are some critical points but, in the main, the dramatic power of Matthew Bourne's chorography coupled with the performance of Adam Cooper and his corp of male swans it is a frightening depiction of what could have been if Pepita had dispensed with his tutu's and shocked the world with a production which would,I am sure, have met with Tchaikovsky's approval. I found some of the movement a little ghose particularly the assemble work in the early scenes but the par de dur between Cooper and Scott Ambler must be seen to be believed.

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, John Lanchbery

Average customer rating:

5 stars : margot/rudolf 's swan lake !!!!
One of the Best Nureyev DVDs
A Lass Unparalleled!
One Of My Very Favorite Swan Lakes.
A mixed review

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, John Lanchbery
Starring: Margot Fonteyn , Rudolf Nureyev , and Vienna State Opera Ballet
Director: John Lanchbery
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0007P0LPC
Release Date: 2005-06-14

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.

Average customer rating:

An Outstanding Traditional Swan Lake!
Beautiful production, but this Lake remains frozen
Magnificent!
Cold cold lake

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake
Starring: Paris Opera Ballet , Agnes Letestu , Jose Martinez , Karl Paquette , and Muriel Halle
Manufacturer: Opus Arte
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000L43QJ2
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Customer Reviews:

An Outstanding Traditional Swan Lake!.......2007-03-12

What makes a Swan Lake traditional? Some might say it should follow the Petipa/Ivanov model, but they did not really honor Tchaikovsky's intentions and even used some music not written by him! He was so furious that he divorced himself from the project. To be called "traditional" A Swan Lake really needs to borrow from Petipa/Ivanov but also needs to keep Tchaikovsky's intentions alive as well as utilizing modern expectations. Suffice it to say that this performance certainly qualifies. The choreography is outstanding and complex as is the dancing by all. This Swan Lake is quite different from Nureyev's version with Margot Fonteyn. The first act in this one is more complete, but the black swan pas de deux is along the Petipa/Ivanov concept whereas the one with Fonteyn utilized Tchaikovsky's original concept. The choreography does have Nureyev's concept of balancing male and female dancing. The scenery and costumes are somewhat simpler here than in the older one, but still appropriate and interesting. The most beautiful aspect of this performance is simply that it is danced by the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the greatest ballet companies in the world! This is a wonderful, complete Swan Lake and is highly recommended!

Beautiful production, but this Lake remains frozen.......2007-03-05

Despite some quibbles which I will list below, I really think this dvd is worth having. The Parisian swans are absolutely beautiful. Nureyev's production for the POB was controversial at first but looking back one can't see where the controversy lies. Yes it is a bit "Freudian" and one is never sure whether the whole ballet is really a figment of Siegfied's imagination. But I unlike his film with Margot Fonteyn the production is essentially very traditional. The pas de trois is back (well danced by Emmanuel Thibault, Nolwenn Daniel, and Dorothée Gilbert), and Nureyev restores Odette's poignant mime in Act 2 when she explains why she is a swan and how a prince's true love will break the curse. Despite a very short interpolated solo for Siegfried, Act 2 preserves the sacred Ivanov choreography. Act4 is one of the best Act 4's I have ever seen. For, unlike, say, the ABT production that is available on dvd, the music is not cut to shreds, the desperation of the swans is palpable, and the ending closely follows the original Petipa/Ivanov ending, which I found in the Nijinsky book: the Evil Genius drags on the Swan Queen, pursued by the Prince. But it is dawn once more, the beloved has vanished and a swan with a crown is seen gliding across the lake. The Prince falls dead.

Yes there are some idiosyncrasies. Rothbart and the tutor are a dual role. I don't know Nureyev was following Soviet tradition or not but the Black Swan pdd is a bit of a pas de trois with Rothbart. The Prince dances along with the waltz in Act 1. There's a brief interpolated solo for Rothbart in Act 3 (danced by Karl Paquette). But all the traditional musical arrangements are intact. Overall, I really liked the production, which has a stately Gothic beauty.

My reservations are with the leads -- Agnes Letesu and Jose Martinez. Letetsu is more Ice Queen than Swan Queen. Not for a moment does she seem afraid of anyone, and she never melts, not even during the White Swan pdd. There's very little chemistry between her and Martinez, despite the fact that they are/were romantically involved. Martinez's Siegfied seems callow and shallow. In one closeup during the White Swan pdd he is actually grinning. It's a shame, because the liquidy flow of the White Swan pdd is a welcome respite from the endless posing and sloooooooowness that is all too common today. Letetsu's dancing has a pure, austere classicism -- she eschews the attitudes in the White Swan pas de deux for perfect 90 degree arabesques. Her textbook positions are impressive, although one wishes she'd soften her line just a bit, to suggest any hint of frailty. She does not.

Letetus's Odile is more effective, although she fails to imitate her Odette, and again seems a bit too icy and remote for Siegfried to truly fall in love. Her fouettes are well-done, with some doubles thrown in, landing in perfect fourth position. In Act4, there is no sign of forgiveness from Letetsu. Siegfried has betrayed her, and she is the most unforgiving Odette I've ever seen. Their farewell is not a painful parting -- Letetsu seems like she can't wait to get away from Siegfried. I'd call this an interesting interpretation except Letetsu's Odette/Odile is so cold throughout the ballet that her Act 4 just seems to be an extension of her coldness. A shame, because Parisian swans are hard to beat. The classical beauty of the POB's dancing is awe-inspiring, but some warmth and vulnerability from Letetsu and Martinez would be welcome.

The best Swan Lake on video remains Royal Ballet's dvd with Makarova and Dowell. Makarova can't match the whiz-bang technicians of today, but her frailty and vulnerability in this dual role makes one forget about her technical weaknesses.

Magnificent! .......2007-02-25

A splendid production of Swan Lake. I have seen it live and I couldn't wait until the DVD release.

Agnès Letestu, as Odette, dances with grace and beauty and José Martinez, in the role of prince Siegfried, is just brilliant.

The costumes are lovely, rich, elegant and colourful. The swans are beautiful. The dancers of the third act are dressed magnificently.

The sets and lighting are great and give importance to the dancers. The style isn't ornate. In the first act for example, the sets present everything that makes a palace look immense : tall marble columns, walls with moulding, large steps, a beautiful golden throne, and a bright lighting that changes to a dark one as the sun goes down; or, in the second act, a mysterious forest and a lake with a soft, bluish lighting.

The Black Swan Scene is remarquable. Ms. Agnès Letestu really has a talent in miming. In this scene, she shows evil, hypocrisy while dancing graciously.

Cold cold lake.......2007-02-04

This is the second Swan Lake by the Paris Opera Ballet appearing on DVD. A few years ago Bel Air brought us the Vladimir Bourmeister version, filmed in 1992, with Marie-Claude Pietragalla and Patrick Dupond. Interesting from a choreographic point of view, the production was betrayed by its ungainly designs.

The present DVD released by Opus Arte documents Rudolf Nureyev's production of Swan Lake, created for the Paris Opera in 1984 - twenty years after his first staging of the ballet for the Vienna Opera Ballet, which is also available on DVD in the famous film with Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn.

The current Parisian version of Tchaikovsky's most popular ballet has the Nureyev touch all over. Prince Siegfried and his tutor Wolfgang are promoted to central characters and the story is re-told from a Freudian angle: the whole ballet is conceived as a product of the prince's dreams and imagination. One may have mixed feelings about this approach, yet we have to grant Nureyev that he always kept faith in the possibilities of classical dance itself and no matter the personal sidetracks, his Swan Lake remains recognizable as a lyric tragedy.

The staging is dramatically effective. The costumes by Franca Squarciapino inspired by 15th-century frescoes and the grand neo-gothic sets by Ezio Frigerio are tasteful, sober and unobtrusive, letting the choreography ample space to speak for itself. Nureyev followed the dramatic structure of the canonical Petipa/Ivanov version from 1895, left the pantomime intact and kept parts of the choreography (notably the 2nd Act, the pas de trois and most of the Black Swan pas de deux). For the rest he devised his own, being most successful in the final Act where he preserved the original music, only interpolating an extra farewell duet set to the music of the omitted Act 3 pas de six. Less attractive are a rather long-winded Waltz in Act 1 and the tedious national dances in Act 3. The Prince and Rothbart get extra solos.

Directed for TV by François Roussillon, the performance was filmed live at the Opéra Bastille in Paris in 2005. The DVD captures the production beautifully, the image quality is outstanding. The editing convincingly mixes longshots from the top of the house, showing the choreographic patterns, with generally well-chosen close-ups of the soloists. Sound (LPCM stereo or 5.1 DTS) is first-rate.

The main issue with this Swan Lake, however, is the casting of the leading roles, étoiles Agnès Letestu and José Martinez. Not everybody will warm for Agnès Letestu straight-faced rendering of Odette. Her dancing is clean and poised, but she seems to appear from a lake of ice, while her confident persona and stiff-backed plastique enhance an image of remoteness and invulnerability. José Martinez, noble, slim and very tall, isn't the most emotional of dancers either and never succeeds in breaking the ice. The close-ups only emphasize how little interest he seems to find in the role. Like Letestu his dancing is assured and neat, but eventually rather pale. His too reserved personality is at odds with the essentially romantic character devised by Nureyev. Letestu is undoubtedly preferable as Odile. The Black Swan pas de deux demonstrates some superbly controlled dancing, but even here the overall impression is rather one of cold calculation. Premier danseur Karl Paquette isn't the ideal choice either for the dual role of Wolfgang/Rothbart, lacking authority as well as mystery.

The pas de trois in Act 1 is danced well by Emmanuel Thibault, Nolwenn Daniel, and especially a remarkable Dorothée Gilbert. Company dancing is excellent overall, as can be expected from the Paris Opera. Vello Pähn conducts the Paris Opera Orchestra.

An illustrated synopsis and a meagre "cast gallery" are the only bonus features on the DVD. Included is a 28-page booklet with excellent photos from the production and liner notes by François Roussillon, covering the creation and subsequent performance history of Swan Lake as well as Nureyev's lifelong fascination with the ballet and its music. Not everyone will agree with Roussillon's - otherwise anything but original - conviction that Swan Lake and its theme of impossible love is a reflection on Tchaikovsky's own homosexual life. Others will also note that the cast list in the booklet is far from faultless (the on-screen credits only mention the leading dancers): the second soloist in the pas de trois is not Mélanie Hurel but Dorothée Gilbert; while in the Czardas Fanny Fiat and not Dorothée Gilbert performs the female lead.

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Zakharova, Bolle, Sutera, Chisleni, Brazzo, Vallone, Tuggle, La Scala Ballet

Average customer rating:

Fantastic Performance
Lackluster dancing and shoddy production
Bolle, the prince
A very good (and slighly different) Swan Lake
Worth it for the Bourmeister production, Zakharova's Swan Queen

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Zakharova, Bolle, Sutera, Chisleni, Brazzo, Vallone, Tuggle, La Scala Ballet
Starring: Svetlana Zakharova , Gianni Chisleni , Roberto Bolle , Antonio Sutera , and James Tuggle
Manufacturer: Tdk DVD Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AMMSQC
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic Performance.......2006-06-09

This is the most phenominal performance of Swan Lake I have ever seen. Svetlana Zakharova has everything required of a great prima ballarina. Her fluid arm movment, incredible extension, limber form are all wedded to the most expressive performance of Odille I know. The pas de deux in act 2 is langorously performed. Miss Zakharova tantilizes the audience with exquisitely lyrical movement all in the service of the character. She is ably partnered by Roberto Bolle who is himself extraordinary. What is especially appealing about this performance is its staging conceived with TV and DVD in mind. The costumes, the court coreography are wonderful. Antonino Sutara as the Jester is worthy of praise as are the quartet and trio of swans. If you have only one performance of Swan Lake let this be it.

Lackluster dancing and shoddy production.......2006-02-21

I watched this and the American Ballet Theatre production back to back. This Odette/Odile doesn't begin to compare to Jillian Murphy, except that she's prettier; she seems lethargic throughout, except when she does her famous spins (whatever they're called). And yes, Jillian's arms and legs are lither and more swanlike, whatever they say about this gal's limberness. The rest of the cast are even worse. The sets and costumes look left over from the Bolshoi of twenty years ago. Others have already commented on the lousy camera work (Why do they give the disc five stars when it's so badly filmed???) Especially annoying is the jester. This kind of character adds to a ballet only when he/she (one really can't tell in this case what it is) is an exceptionally talented performer. He/she in this production is definitely not. Just ordinary and in the way a lot. Both he/she and the prince are in the way during the ballroom scene when the other dancers are performing. And the corps de ballet in the ABT production is amazing--the most coordinated I've ever seen. Skip this one; get that one.

Bolle, the prince.......2006-02-13

This is a must to have Swan Lake version. I bought the CD thinking about Zakharova because I never had the opportunity to see her and I was curious about her. I have to agree with the review below that Russian trained ballerinas are suitable for ballets like Sawn Lake, specially for their arms that they know how use like no other school. Zakharova is no exception. It is a shame film editors don't realized those little details are very important fro ballet fans. I need to see the whole body face, legs (points included), arms, hands, neck, everything Unfortunately those DVDs are made for everybody and not just a selected public.

This edition has a lot of moments where I was really mad because there were so many things happening and the cam was elsewhere, specially at the end of the ballet when Sigfried is struggling to overcome the flooding and Odette is agonizing as she watches her lover from the distant. It's amazing how she can keep her arms, legs the whole body moving all the time, I think it's a very difficult moment for any ballerina.

Zakharova's Odette is full of passion and love, almost too beautiful, esthetically perfect. She has the perfect ballerina body, with long legs, amazing feet and beautiful arms. She also has a powerful technical, I didn't find her cold (although I can imagine she could be) and she was able to sort all difficulties in the ballet. But for me the big revelation was Bolle, I didn't remember he dances in Alessandre Ferri's Giselle (in la Scalla as well) one of the two peasants, a friend of mine remind me about it suddenly strike me, when I saw that Giselle, I always thought he was a better option for Albretch than the principal Dancer, now I'm certain about it. He is the perfect noble dancer he is the right combination between technic, style, beauty and body. He has everything turns, jumps, body control, elasticity. I particularly think he is the big star on this production, he was a real prince all the time and constantly assisting Zakharova when they danced together. I did some research afterwards and he has danced with Alessandra Romeo and Juliet, I really regret now the version on DVD is with Angel Corella (a good dancer) , I would love to see those two together (Ferri and Bolle)

About her fouttes I think she did a remarkable job considering her feet, it's really hard to turn when you have feet like hers and like Alessandra Ferri, the ballerina tends to loose the center and that's the end. I have to say I've never seen Black Swan fouttes finishes like, but I've seen it in other pas the deux, I have to say it's very difficult to finish fouettes like that, it's harder than the traditional way. In my opinion she was perfect a the end, everything went smooth and they both managed to keep the rhythm which is very important and really hard to achieve

I honestly don't care much about the ornaments and productions, I need good dancers and logic choreographies to enjoy a ballet.

A very good (and slighly different) Swan Lake.......2005-10-09

I bought this because of Svetlana Zakharova and the rarely seen Bourmeister choreography. Zakharova dances beautifully. To the reviewer who commended on the fouettes, I have never seen the Bourmeister version performed with 32 fouettes, just 24 or 28 (not sure). But in any case the fouettes are only a trick and not what makes a good Odette/Odile. Zakharova is a great Odette and a very good Odile.

The La Scalla ballet are average as usual. The sets and costumes are good. The editing of the video is very