Evening With The Royal Ballet DVD

 Wonderful performances, wonderful history!
Nureyev and Fonteyn! Need I say more? This DVD is sooo valuable for so many reasons! As an historical record, it cannot be surpassed. The performance of "Les Sylphides" is pure Fokine choreography, with a grace and fluidity that is not always present in performance companies these days. The "storyless" ballet is actually about the poet (Nureyev) being inspired by the sylphs who seem to caress his mind with both dreamy visions and moments of ecstasy. This ballet alone is worth the price of admission! For those who want to see the more bravura side of Nureyev, look to the pas de deux from Le Corsaire. Balletomanes will probably recognize that the male technique has advanced remarkably overall since 1963. But still, Nureyev is electric and amazing in this pas de deux. La Valse should be seen just because it is Ravel's music at its most lush and passionate. This may also be the only filmed record of the choreography of this rarely performed ballet. And of course... if you long to see Margot Fonteyn in her true element, the last act of "Sleeping Beauty" is pure delight. All of the divertissement are danced by dancers we now recognize as principal ballerinas... who were mere soloists at the time. Puss in Boots and the Bluebird pas de deux are marvelous reproductions of the original Petipa choreography, and a joy to watch. The costuming, sets, and mannerisms of this ballet definitely take the viewer to a different time and place. Magnificent! Fonteyn is an ageless diamond in this wonderful performance! There are a hundred reasons to buy this DVD, and few detractions. I saw this movie when it was released in theaters back in the 1960s, and the DVD transfer is not without its occasional moments of fuzz, but for the most part it is fantastic. The insertion of the "Russian Dance" from "The Nutcracker" into the last act of the "Sleeping Beauty" was quite jarring, but it was well danced. It was not uncommon, even in Petipa's day, to insert specialty numbers to accommodate a particular dancer, or up-and-comer who needed exposure... or even to promote a particular composer. So, in keeping with the age-old tradition, this odd insertion is not without precident. I rate this DVD at five stars. The ballets are beautifully photographed, the feet are never "cut off" by the camera, and there are no "special effects" to interfere with one's total enjoyment of the performances. This one comes highly recommended!
Submitted by a reviewer (Norman, OK) 
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