THE WORLD'S FINEST OPERA,
BALLET, THEATRE AND MUSIC
Ballet Spectacular
Carlos Acosta (Colas (La fille); Franz (Coppélia)); Alina Cojocaru (Giselle (Giselle)); Marianela Nuñez (Queen of the Wilis (Giselle); Lise (La fille)); Johan Kobborg (Count Albrecht (Giselle)); Leanne Benjamin (Swanilda (Coppélia)); Will Tuckett (Widow Simone (La fille))
This special DVD presents three of the world's most popular ballets in wonderful Royal Balley productions as featured in the best-selling book Ballet Spectacular.
Giselle
One of The Royal Ballet's signature words, Giselle is the quintessential Romantic ballet and its title role one of the most technically demanding and emotionally challenging in the classical repertory. This tale of the transcendental power of love over death is evocatively portrayed through Peter Wright's sensitive staging with John Macfarlane's atmospheric designs.
Coppélia
This 19th-century classic tells the charming story of Dr Coppélius and his lifelike mechanical doll, whose beauty causes intrigue and jealousy between the young lovers Swanilda and Franz. Here the Principal roles are wonderfully danced by Leanne Benjamin and Carlos Acosta in a treasured production created by the Royal Ballet Founder Ninette de Valois.
La fille mal gardée
A village love story set in an idyllic landscape La fille mal gardée has been esteemed as one of Frederick Ashton's happiest creations since its premiere in 1960. The show-stopping vitality of The Royal Ballet, dancing Ashton's sparkling choreography, is complemented by colourful, rural designs by Osbert Lancaster and vibrant playing from the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
DVD
Genre: Ballet
Release Date: 01/12/2014
Sound Formats: Coppelia (Dolby Surround; Dolby Stereo); La fille mal gardee (LPCM Stereo; 5.1 Surround Sound); Giselle (2.0 PCM & 5.0 DTS)
Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: Extra features only: Giselle (French, German, Spanish, Italian); La fille (French, German, Spanish, Italian)
Catalogue Number: OA1182BD
Conductor(s):
Boris Gruzin; Anthony Twiner; Nicolae Moldoveanu
Boris Gruzin; Anthony Twiner; Nicolae Moldoveanu
Orchestra(s):
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Artist(s):
Carlos Acosta; Alina Cojocaru; Marianela Nuñez; Johan Kobborg; Leanne Benjamin; Will Tuckett; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin; Anthony Twiner; Nicolae Moldoveanu
Carlos Acosta; Alina Cojocaru; Marianela Nuñez; Johan Kobborg; Leanne Benjamin; Will Tuckett; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin; Anthony Twiner; Nicolae Moldoveanu
"Leanne Benjamin's Swanhilda has much charm and the Cuban, Carlos Acosta, brings the appropriate ardour, grace and virtuosity to the role of Franz, while Luke Heydon's Dr. Coppélius is exemplary. There is first-class dancing from the Corps and lively, well-paced orchestral playing under Nicolae Moldoveaunu. Moreover, the sound is well defined and musically balanced." (The Penguin Guide - Coppelia)
"Now we have this sparkling Ballet on DVD, beautifully filmed and with first class orchestral sound, richly played …fabulously entertaining...Bouyant performances." (San Francisco Chronicle - Coppelia)
"Cojocaru's interpretation, everyone seems to agree, is one of the greatest of all time, and she continues to refine it with every performance...One of the things which makes Cojocaru so poignant in this role is a quality that one senses in the dancer herself. Something in the emotional charge of her performances, some fragility beneath the ballerina steel, emphasises the ephemeral nature of the art form. It reminds us that we must seize the day." (The Observer - Giselle)
"The Royal Ballet's recent triumphs continue with this exquisite Giselle. Beguiling actress-dancer Alina Cojocaru embraces both Act I's sweet rural girl and the tragic ghost of Act II." (BBC Music Magazine - Giselle ★★★★)
"...times have never been better for the company than under their gracious and ever-present director Monica Mason. The international greats here include vivacious Argentinian Marianela Nuñez, Cuban superstar Carlos Acosta, Romanian national heroine Alina Cojocaru and handsome Italian Federico Bonelli. Of the two signature ballets, La fille mal gardée is sheer perfection. Nuñez and Acosta are unsurpassable respectively in the feminine grace and masculine confidence of Ashton’s Lise and Colas, and their mimetic skills are delicious." (BBC Music Magazine - La fille mal gardee ★★★★)
"The Royal Ballet’s present revival makes much of its vigorous characters, its brilliantly virtuosic solos and duets...[Marianela Nuñez] gives the swift, intricate footwork as gorgeously as I have ever seen it...Nunez is an excellent match for Carlos Acosta’s whizzing solos and his cheerful eagerness as her admirer Colas..Altogether, a terrific show." (The Stage - La fille mal gardee)
"Now we have this sparkling Ballet on DVD, beautifully filmed and with first class orchestral sound, richly played …fabulously entertaining...Bouyant performances." (San Francisco Chronicle - Coppelia)
"Cojocaru's interpretation, everyone seems to agree, is one of the greatest of all time, and she continues to refine it with every performance...One of the things which makes Cojocaru so poignant in this role is a quality that one senses in the dancer herself. Something in the emotional charge of her performances, some fragility beneath the ballerina steel, emphasises the ephemeral nature of the art form. It reminds us that we must seize the day." (The Observer - Giselle)
"The Royal Ballet's recent triumphs continue with this exquisite Giselle. Beguiling actress-dancer Alina Cojocaru embraces both Act I's sweet rural girl and the tragic ghost of Act II." (BBC Music Magazine - Giselle ★★★★)
"...times have never been better for the company than under their gracious and ever-present director Monica Mason. The international greats here include vivacious Argentinian Marianela Nuñez, Cuban superstar Carlos Acosta, Romanian national heroine Alina Cojocaru and handsome Italian Federico Bonelli. Of the two signature ballets, La fille mal gardée is sheer perfection. Nuñez and Acosta are unsurpassable respectively in the feminine grace and masculine confidence of Ashton’s Lise and Colas, and their mimetic skills are delicious." (BBC Music Magazine - La fille mal gardee ★★★★)
"The Royal Ballet’s present revival makes much of its vigorous characters, its brilliantly virtuosic solos and duets...[Marianela Nuñez] gives the swift, intricate footwork as gorgeously as I have ever seen it...Nunez is an excellent match for Carlos Acosta’s whizzing solos and his cheerful eagerness as her admirer Colas..Altogether, a terrific show." (The Stage - La fille mal gardee)
Carlos Acosta (Colas (La fille); Franz (Coppélia)); Alina Cojocaru (Giselle (Giselle)); Marianela Nuñez (Queen of the Wilis (Giselle); Lise (La fille)); Johan Kobborg (Count Albrecht (Giselle)); Leanne Benjamin (Swanilda (Coppélia)); Will Tuckett (Widow Simone (La fille))
This special DVD presents three of the world's most popular ballets in wonderful Royal Balley productions as featured in the best-selling book Ballet Spectacular.
Giselle
One of The Royal Ballet's signature words, Giselle is the quintessential Romantic ballet and its title role one of the most technically demanding and emotionally challenging in the classical repertory. This tale of the transcendental power of love over death is evocatively portrayed through Peter Wright's sensitive staging with John Macfarlane's atmospheric designs.
Coppélia
This 19th-century classic tells the charming story of Dr Coppélius and his lifelike mechanical doll, whose beauty causes intrigue and jealousy between the young lovers Swanilda and Franz. Here the Principal roles are wonderfully danced by Leanne Benjamin and Carlos Acosta in a treasured production created by the Royal Ballet Founder Ninette de Valois.
La fille mal gardée
A village love story set in an idyllic landscape La fille mal gardée has been esteemed as one of Frederick Ashton's happiest creations since its premiere in 1960. The show-stopping vitality of The Royal Ballet, dancing Ashton's sparkling choreography, is complemented by colourful, rural designs by Osbert Lancaster and vibrant playing from the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
DVD
Genre: Ballet
Release Date: 01/12/2014
Sound Formats: Coppelia (Dolby Surround; Dolby Stereo); La fille mal gardee (LPCM Stereo; 5.1 Surround Sound); Giselle (2.0 PCM & 5.0 DTS)
Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles: Extra features only: Giselle (French, German, Spanish, Italian); La fille (French, German, Spanish, Italian)
Catalogue Number: OA1182BD
Conductor(s):
Boris Gruzin; Anthony Twiner; Nicolae Moldoveanu
Boris Gruzin; Anthony Twiner; Nicolae Moldoveanu
Orchestra(s):
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Artist(s):
Carlos Acosta; Alina Cojocaru; Marianela Nuñez; Johan Kobborg; Leanne Benjamin; Will Tuckett; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin; Anthony Twiner; Nicolae Moldoveanu
Carlos Acosta; Alina Cojocaru; Marianela Nuñez; Johan Kobborg; Leanne Benjamin; Will Tuckett; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin; Anthony Twiner; Nicolae Moldoveanu
"Leanne Benjamin's Swanhilda has much charm and the Cuban, Carlos Acosta, brings the appropriate ardour, grace and virtuosity to the role of Franz, while Luke Heydon's Dr. Coppélius is exemplary. There is first-class dancing from the Corps and lively, well-paced orchestral playing under Nicolae Moldoveaunu. Moreover, the sound is well defined and musically balanced." (The Penguin Guide - Coppelia)
"Now we have this sparkling Ballet on DVD, beautifully filmed and with first class orchestral sound, richly played …fabulously entertaining...Bouyant performances." (San Francisco Chronicle - Coppelia)
"Cojocaru's interpretation, everyone seems to agree, is one of the greatest of all time, and she continues to refine it with every performance...One of the things which makes Cojocaru so poignant in this role is a quality that one senses in the dancer herself. Something in the emotional charge of her performances, some fragility beneath the ballerina steel, emphasises the ephemeral nature of the art form. It reminds us that we must seize the day." (The Observer - Giselle)
"The Royal Ballet's recent triumphs continue with this exquisite Giselle. Beguiling actress-dancer Alina Cojocaru embraces both Act I's sweet rural girl and the tragic ghost of Act II." (BBC Music Magazine - Giselle ★★★★)
"...times have never been better for the company than under their gracious and ever-present director Monica Mason. The international greats here include vivacious Argentinian Marianela Nuñez, Cuban superstar Carlos Acosta, Romanian national heroine Alina Cojocaru and handsome Italian Federico Bonelli. Of the two signature ballets, La fille mal gardée is sheer perfection. Nuñez and Acosta are unsurpassable respectively in the feminine grace and masculine confidence of Ashton’s Lise and Colas, and their mimetic skills are delicious." (BBC Music Magazine - La fille mal gardee ★★★★)
"The Royal Ballet’s present revival makes much of its vigorous characters, its brilliantly virtuosic solos and duets...[Marianela Nuñez] gives the swift, intricate footwork as gorgeously as I have ever seen it...Nunez is an excellent match for Carlos Acosta’s whizzing solos and his cheerful eagerness as her admirer Colas..Altogether, a terrific show." (The Stage - La fille mal gardee)
"Now we have this sparkling Ballet on DVD, beautifully filmed and with first class orchestral sound, richly played …fabulously entertaining...Bouyant performances." (San Francisco Chronicle - Coppelia)
"Cojocaru's interpretation, everyone seems to agree, is one of the greatest of all time, and she continues to refine it with every performance...One of the things which makes Cojocaru so poignant in this role is a quality that one senses in the dancer herself. Something in the emotional charge of her performances, some fragility beneath the ballerina steel, emphasises the ephemeral nature of the art form. It reminds us that we must seize the day." (The Observer - Giselle)
"The Royal Ballet's recent triumphs continue with this exquisite Giselle. Beguiling actress-dancer Alina Cojocaru embraces both Act I's sweet rural girl and the tragic ghost of Act II." (BBC Music Magazine - Giselle ★★★★)
"...times have never been better for the company than under their gracious and ever-present director Monica Mason. The international greats here include vivacious Argentinian Marianela Nuñez, Cuban superstar Carlos Acosta, Romanian national heroine Alina Cojocaru and handsome Italian Federico Bonelli. Of the two signature ballets, La fille mal gardée is sheer perfection. Nuñez and Acosta are unsurpassable respectively in the feminine grace and masculine confidence of Ashton’s Lise and Colas, and their mimetic skills are delicious." (BBC Music Magazine - La fille mal gardee ★★★★)
"The Royal Ballet’s present revival makes much of its vigorous characters, its brilliantly virtuosic solos and duets...[Marianela Nuñez] gives the swift, intricate footwork as gorgeously as I have ever seen it...Nunez is an excellent match for Carlos Acosta’s whizzing solos and his cheerful eagerness as her admirer Colas..Altogether, a terrific show." (The Stage - La fille mal gardee)
