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Ballet Performances Videos and DVDs 12

Ballet videos - Swan Lake, Symphony in D Workshop, Alvin Ailey and World's Young Ballet.

See Ballet Videos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13

Spartacus DVD - Vladimir Vasiliev/Natalia Bessmertnova

Spartacus

“One of the best dance films ever made” – NY Times.

Spartacus is the Bolshoi doing what the Bolshoi does best: interpreting contemporary works whose thematic origins are classic. Vladimir Vasiliev, “a dancer of unshakable heroic optimism, exceptional virtuosity, and irresistible dynamism” (Horst Koegler), is perfect as Spartacus. Natalia Bessmertnova, one of the Bolshoi’s most lyrical, feminine dancers, is also seen in one of her finest roles.

Anna Kisselgoff, dance critic of The New York Times, writes “Yuri Grigorovich’s Spartacus already familiar to American audiences, comes into its own here as both ballet and film. The inherent cinematic approach in Mr. Grigorovich’s staging of Aram Khachaturian’s score falls perfectly in place … Vladimir Vasiliev, as the slave who leads an unsuccessful revolt against the Romans, dances and acts on a heroic level that is the performance of a lifetime. Marius Liepa matches him on every point magnificently as the villain, the Roman general Crassus, and Natalia Bessmertnova and Nina Timofeyeva round out the ballet’s great original cast. With its phalanxes confronting the camera head-on and its slow-motion shots of Mr. Vasiliev soaring through the sky, the film takes its chances. It is also one of the best dance films ever made.”

92 mins. (2008)
DVD - All Region

Swan Lake - London Festival Ballet DVD

Swan Lake is a bittersweet tale recounting the love of Prince Siegfried for Odette, who, as the result of the evil sorcery of the magician von Rothbart, is transformed into a swan by day, though she is allowed to return to her human form by night. Only absolute fidelity in love can destroy the spell. Von Rothbart is determined that Siegfried will break his oath to Odette by falling in love with the seductive Odile, von Rothbart's own daughter.

109 mins. (2009)
DVD - Region 1 (Canada, United States; U.S. territories; more)

Swan Lake - Plisetskaya Video (D1197)

Swan Lake

“… As Odette she is passionate. As Odile she is alluring.” - NY Times. “As a record of a great artist in her prime, this ‘Swan Lake’ is a treasure.” – NY Times.

Swan Lake tells the timeless tale of redemption through love. It is probably the best-known, best-loved of all the classical ballets, and for the prima ballerina who dances the dual role of Odette and Odile, the supreme test of the dancer’s craft. Maya Plisetskaya’s melting lyricism and superlative technique make her one of the greatest exponents of the dual role since the ballet’s first production over a century ago.

Tchaikovsky’s score, the first in his triumvirate of great ballets, is the perfect complement to the imaginative choreography that sets Swan Lake apart from anything that had preceded or has followed it. This production, filmed live at the Bolshoi Theatre, captures a great ballerina in her prime in an eternal classic.

Cast: Odette/Odile … Maya Plisetskaya; Prince … N. Fadeyechev; Evil Spirit … V. Levashev; and Jester … V. Khomyakov.

80 mins. (2008)
DVD - All Region

Swan Lake - The Royal Ballet Video

Swan Lake - The Royal Ballet DVD Only (D1408) - $29.99
It is difficult to believe today that Swan Lake was a failure on its first production in 1877 and was not a success until the Petipa/Ivanov version of 1895.

Today it is regarded as one of the greatest works in the art of ballet. The magic of Tchaikovsky's music, embodying the love of Prince Siegfried for the enchanted Swan Queen has greatly contributed to making this the best loved of all classical ballets.

This production, with designs by the late Leslie Hurry, stars Natalia Makarova as Odette-Odile and Anthony Dowell as Prince Siegfried. Prince Siegfried celebrates his twenty-first birthday; his mother tells him it is time to marry but he prefers to go hunting. Alone, by a lakeside, he sees a swan who turns to human form. She is an enchanted princess who can be saved only by true love. He promises this, but is tricked by the wicked magician who disguises his own daughter as the swan-maiden. In despair, Siegfried and the swan-maiden leap to death together and their sacrifice destroys the evil power.

137 mins. (1982)
DVD - Region 1

See Ballet Videos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13

All video tapes are VHS NTSC format (Canada & USA). See Video Formats to check which countries use NTSC, PAL or SECAM formats. DVDs are All Region or Region 1 as marked.