Cullberg Ballet (Mats Ek)

Starring:Ana Laguna, Yvan Auzely, Marc Hwang
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Danced here in the adaptation by the Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin, Georges Bizet's opera Carmen lasts some 50 minutes, only about one-third of the original's playing time. The Swedish Cullberg Ballet Company, choreographed by Mats Ek, is a first-rate ensemble, the women here dressed in colorful Latin-style dresses, the men in fashionable dark grey. The set is plain, with one chief ornament, a large ball that becomes the focus of some acrobatic dancing. Carmen (Ana Laguna) smokes a cigar; her José (Marc Hwang) carries the flowers. Escamillo (Yvan Auzely), dressed in traditional toreador's garb, caps them both in terms of dress, style, and movement. Ek's choreography is forged from a number of influences--the flying figures at one point suggest Bob Fosse. This production will not suit all tastes, but for those who enjoy a contemporary slant on an old story--such as Matthew Bourne offered in his modern-dress dance version The Car Man--Ek's production provides a valid alternative view. --Adrian Edwards
Description
With the hot glow of her cigar, the piercing intensity of her gaze, and her unabashed sexuality, Carmen radiates defiance. She's a woman who knows what she wants and is ruthless in pursuing it. She takes and discards lovers as she pleases. Mats Ek's International Emmy Award-winning version of the fiery tale of passion and murderous jealousy is an exciting, suspenseful mix of bravura dancing and inventive, powerful storytelling. Set to Rodion Shchedrin's "Carmen Suite," the Russian composer's arrangement of Bizet's perenially popular opera music, this stylish production features award-winning dancer Ana Laguna as a mesmerizing and irresistible Carmen, with Yvan Auzely and Marc Hwang as her rival lovers: macho bullfighter Escamillo and romantic young soldier Jose.

Bizet/Shchedrin - Carmen / Cullberg Ballet (Mats Ek)
Average customer rating:

A Psychodramatic Dance With Humor

Stunning!!

life changing...

Bizet/Shchedrin - Carmen / Cullberg Ballet (Mats Ek)
Starring: Ana Laguna , Yvan Auzely , and Marc Hwang
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000687DZ
Release Date: 2002-07-09

Amazon.com

Danced here in the adaptation by the Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin, Georges Bizet's opera Carmen lasts some 50 minutes, only about one-third of the original's playing time. The Swedish Cullberg Ballet Company, choreographed by Mats Ek, is a first-rate ensemble, the women here dressed in colorful Latin-style dresses, the men in fashionable dark grey. The set is plain, with one chief ornament, a large ball that becomes the focus of some acrobatic dancing. Carmen (Ana Laguna) smokes a cigar; her José (Marc Hwang) carries the flowers. Escamillo (Yvan Auzely), dressed in traditional toreador's garb, caps them both in terms of dress, style, and movement. Ek's choreography is forged from a number of influences--the flying figures at one point suggest Bob Fosse. This production will not suit all tastes, but for those who enjoy a contemporary slant on an old story--such as Matthew Bourne offered in his modern-dress dance version The Car Man--Ek's production provides a valid alternative view. --Adrian Edwards

Description

With the hot glow of her cigar, the piercing intensity of her gaze, and her unabashed sexuality, Carmen radiates defiance. She's a woman who knows what she wants and is ruthless in pursuing it. She takes and discards lovers as she pleases. Mats Ek's International Emmy Award-winning version of the fiery tale of passion and murderous jealousy is an exciting, suspenseful mix of bravura dancing and inventive, powerful storytelling. Set to Rodion Shchedrin's "Carmen Suite," the Russian composer's arrangement of Bizet's perenially popular opera music, this stylish production features award-winning dancer Ana Laguna as a mesmerizing and irresistible Carmen, with Yvan Auzely and Marc Hwang as her rival lovers: macho bullfighter Escamillo and romantic young soldier Jose.

Customer Reviews:

A Psychodramatic Dance With Humor.......2005-10-29

Mat Eks' Carmen ballet is a psychologically probing and at the same time highly amusing. It depicts the story from Jose's point of view, beginning with him facing the firing squad, then dissolving into his life with Carmen.

In this soldier's tale, his "lieutenant" is distinguished by his moustache. The mustached soldier leads his men with an officiousness and absurdity reminiscent of Monty Python's "crazy walks." This leader is but one rival for Carmen's attentions. Her prior lover, only hinted at in the opera, seems a serious and recurrent rival here. And then, of course, there is Escamillo. He is handsome, flashy, and sexual.

All of the dancers perform superbly, but Ana Laguna's Carmen requires special mention. She portrays a spectacular, powerful, and highly sexual Carmen; it is also a Carmen who is intentionally shown without beauty or grace. Carmen is too controlling, too independent as Jose recalls her to have even a hint of delicacy. She contrasts superbly with Jose's view of Micaela: dutiful, caring, tireless, and dull. But there is nothing dull about this ballet.

Stunning!!.......2003-06-23

Mats Ek has done it again! I've watched this ballet about 10 times over and have never stopped loving it. Because of this ballet, I fell in love with the Shchedrin version of "Carmen". Marc Hwang (Jose) and Ana Laguna (Carmen) delivered exceptional performances, to say the least. I cannot think of any dancers who fit the roles as well as they did. The choreography was definitely one of its kind, and brings the viewer into a refreshing new world. I'm glad that I was able to see it on dvd where not a single gesture or facial twitch was missed. A DEFINITE MUST for all modern ballet lovers, and a great buy for anyone who is even mildly interested in dance. You need to see it to believe it.

life changing..........2002-12-10

...sounds pretty stupid, but seeing this performance on Bravo several years ago completely turned me inside out. It's fresh, virtuosic, and utterly spectacular. I had never seen anything like it and haven't seen anything remotely like it since--and I see a lot of dance, including Bourne. Have even thought about flying cross country to see them when they were touring. Btw, make no mistake, Cullberg's fresh take does not at all subvert the story of Carmen. It's the most close-to-the-bone retelling I've ever seen. I am beside myself that this is now on dvd.

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