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Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (Matthew Bourne) ~ Adam Cooper, Scott Ambler, Fiona Chadwick, and Barry Atkinson (II) (DVD - 2000) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions 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 (Matthew Bourne) ~ Adam Cooper, Scott Ambler, Fiona Chadwick, and Barry Atkinson (II) (DVD - 2000) |
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Dancing on Dangerous Ground ~ Jean Butler, et al. (DVD - 2004) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions The thrilling new Irish dance drama based on Celtic Legends' most passionate and enduring love story - the tragic romance of the dashing young warrior Diarmuid and the beautiful, wilful Princess Grainne.The show features the world famous dancers and Riverdance stars Jean Butler and nine-times world dancing champion Colin Dunne in a more free form, sensual performance."Jean Butler and Colin Dunne were the best thing about Riverdance. Now these superlative dancers have returned with their own infinitely more creative spectacle, Dangerous Ground. Congratulations are in order. For what Ms.Butler and Mr. Dunne accomplish through their choreography is to channel Irish step dancing into genuine artistic expression. They have come up with one terrific show, filled with a consistent integrity that does not look down on popular appeal. A full house greeted the New York premiere of Dancing on Dangerous Ground. " ++++ Dancing on Dangerous Ground ~ Jean Butler, et al. (DVD - 2004) |
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Rossini - Moise et Pharaon / Frittoli, Ganassi, Abdrazakov, Schrott, Filianoti, Muzek, Giuseppini, Ceron, Surguladze, Muraro, Muti, La Scala Opera ~ Ildar Abdrazakov, Erwin Schrott, Giuseppe Filianoti, and Tomislav Muzek (DVD - 2005) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Rossini - Moise et Pharaon / Frittoli, Ganassi, Abdrazakov, Schrott, Filianoti, Muzek, Giuseppini, Ceron, Surguladze, Muraro, Muti, La Scala Opera ~ Ildar Abdrazakov, Erwin Schrott, Giuseppe Filianoti, and Tomislav Muzek (DVD - 2005) ++++ Rossini - Moise et Pharaon / Frittoli, Ganassi, Abdrazakov, Schrott, Filianoti, Muzek, Giuseppini, Ceron, Surguladze, Muraro, Muti, La Scala Opera ~ Ildar Abdrazakov, Erwin Schrott, Giuseppe Filianoti, and Tomislav Muzek (DVD - 2005) |
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Sleeping Beauty ~ Tchaikovsky, Elizabethan Melbourne, and Wordsworth (DVD - 2007) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Sleeping Beauty ~ Tchaikovsky, Elizabethan Melbourne, and Wordsworth (DVD - 2007) ++++ Sleeping Beauty ~ Tchaikovsky, Elizabethan Melbourne, and Wordsworth (DVD - 2007) |
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Jose Limon - Three Modern Dance Classics(The Moor's Pavane/The Traitor/The Emperor Jones) ~ Jose Limon, Lucas Hoving, and Pauline Koner (DVD - 2003) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Jose Limon (1908-1972) was a Mexican-American choreographer who continues to be regarded as one of the modern dance world's seminal creative artists, known for his intense dramatic presence and the theatricality and musicality of his dances. Her for the first time on video are three of his most famous works with the original casts, filmed in their entirety for the Canadian Broadcasting Company in the 1950s. |
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Glinka - Ruslan and Lyudmila / Gergiev, Netrebko, Ognovenko, Gorchakova, Diadkova, Bezzubenkov, Kirov Opera, St. Petersburg ~ Vladimir Ognovenko, Anna Netrebko, Mikhail Kit, and Larissa Diadkova (DVD - 2003) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Glinka's RUSLAN AND LYUDMILLA, based on a Pushkin fairy tale, is probably the second greatest Russian opera, after Mussorgsky's BORIS GODUNOV. Unfortunately, it is very little known and rarely performed in the West. So it's great news that this excellent production is now available. Like the other Kirov/Gergiev operas on video and DVD, this one is a class production with fine ensemble work. The sound and technical quality is excellent. If you have any interest in Russian opera, this is a must-have. ++++ Glinka - Ruslan and Lyudmila / Gergiev, Netrebko, Ognovenko, Gorchakova, Diadkova, Bezzubenkov, Kirov Opera, St. Petersburg ~ Vladimir Ognovenko, Anna Netrebko, Mikhail Kit, and Larissa Diadkova (DVD - 2003) |
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Mozart - Don Giovanni ~ Peter Mattei, Gilles Cachemaille, and Alexandra Deshorties (DVD - 2007) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Since the memorable Giulini's version recorded in 1961, I had never heard a so well balanced production of Mozart's best opera. The title role is wonderfully performed by the acclaimed Swedish baritone Peter Mattei, who has revealed as one of the best gifted Dons in modern times, maybe with the exception of Thomas Hampson. The warmth of his voice and his subtleness to declaim the recitatives reminds us of Eberhard Wächter. His acting is also remarkable: he makes a diabolic Don Giovanni we can not avoid to hate and find irresistible at the same time. Gilles Cachemaille makes a perfect Leporello. Having played the title role before he has an extraordinary capacity to switch roles with the Don, a quality that is hard to find in other singers ++++ Mozart - Don Giovanni ~ Peter Mattei, Gilles Cachemaille, and Alexandra Deshorties (DVD - 2007) |
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Shchedrin - Anna Karenina / Plisetskaya, Godunov, Bolshoi Ballet ~ The Bolshoi Ballet, Alexander Godunov, and Maya Plisetskaya (DVD - 2004) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Shchedrin - Anna Karenina / Plisetskaya, Godunov, Bolshoi Ballet ~ The Bolshoi Ballet, Alexander Godunov, and Maya Plisetskaya (DVD - 2004) ++++ Shchedrin - Anna Karenina / Plisetskaya, Godunov, Bolshoi Ballet ~ The Bolshoi Ballet, Alexander Godunov, and Maya Plisetskaya (DVD - 2004) |
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Hérold - La Fille Mal Gardée ~ Valentina Kozlova, Chris Jensen (II), Oto Ris, and Werner Henssler (DVD - 2006) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions It can be very difficult to select the best of the ballet greats, but when I think of the greatest ballerinas to ever grace the stage, Valentina Kozlova is at the top of my list! When it comes to technique, her pirouettes, balances, effortless extension, posture, movement, and leaps are as perfect as it ever gets. She is the Baryshnikov of ballerinas! (Currently, she is giving master classes, running a dance company and school in NYC, and making many guest appearances in the USA and throughout the world.) If that weren't enough, the rest of this cast is also incredible, showing amazing technique and artistry. The role of Alain(the young fool) is played by Martin Schlaepfer and his virtuoso comic variation is the most amazing comic ballet solo I have ever seen! ++++ Hérold - La Fille Mal Gardée ~ Valentina Kozlova, Chris Jensen (II), Oto Ris, and Werner Henssler (DVD - 2006) |
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Don Quichotte Ballet ~ Minkus, Pushkarev, Tereshenko, and Belorybkin (DVD - 2006) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Don Quichotte Ballet ~ Minkus, Pushkarev, Tereshenko, and Belorybkin (DVD - 2006) ++++ Don Quichotte Ballet ~ Minkus, Pushkarev, Tereshenko, and Belorybkin (DVD - 2006) |
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Parsons Dance Company ~ Parsons Dance Company (DVD - 2001) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions David Parsons is one of the golden boys of American dance. A witty terseness and probing intelligence mark his choreography, which conceals its difficulty behind silky casualness. In this program, seven of Parsons' works are featured, demonstrating the diversity of his influences and mastery of a wide scope of styles. The music he chooses ranges from Mozart and Rossini to King Crimson's Robert Fripp and specially-commissioned scores. Parson introduces each piece and it is easy to see why his charm, energy and integrity have won him a considerable following. ++++ Parsons Dance Company ~ Parsons Dance Company (DVD - 2001) |
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Delibes - Coppelia / Lyon National Opera Ballet (Maguy Marin) ~ Lyon National Opera Ballet (DVD - 2001) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Shot on video, this modernist version of the classic ballet may put off novice viewers: an hour long, it uses only half of Leo Delibes's utterly beguiling score, pretty much ignores the original plot (the life-size wind-up doll is nowhere to be found), and seems to willfully deny what makes the original one of the most magical full-length dance works. But there's lots of talent on display. Choreographer Maguy Marin is an artist of such virtuosity that even when the dancing goes against the grain of the material and the music, it is still stunning. On the soundtrack, conductor Kent Nagano leads the superb Lyon National Opera Orchestra in well-chosen excerpts from Delibes's score, and Philippe Durand has fashioned a compelling film out of Marin's unique vision. The Lyon National Opera Ballet dancers are without exception outstanding, and Francoise Joullie plays the title role with amazing aplomb. The story of Coppelia explores a young man's passion for a beautiful girl who turns out to be a mechanical doll, exploring a popular mythological theme of creating a being who is more perfect and tantalizing than any human counterpart. From start to finish, Maguy Marin's Coppelia is a hugely entertaining and constantly surprising piece of dance theater. Marin transposes the piece from its original rustic setting to a modern, run-down urban environment and adds an edgy new twist to the story. Music by Leo Delibes. 61 minutes. ++++ Delibes - Coppelia / Lyon National Opera Ballet (Maguy Marin) ~ Lyon National Opera Ballet (DVD - 2001) |
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Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake ~ Tchaikovsky, Queval, and Royal Swedish Ballet (DVD - 2003) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Choreographer Peter Wright stages "Swan Lake" as a romantic Gothic tragedy. This invigorating version focuses on the heartbreaking role of the Prince in this dramatic classic, honoring the 1895 Pepita/Ivanov original. SPECIAL FEATURES -- "Love Transcends Death" an interview with choreographer Sir Peter Wright, "Back to the Original" an interview with Peter Jacobsson, "A Beautiful Way of Moving" an interview with the principal dancers, "The Tale of Swan Lake" an illustrated synopsis, "Notable Productions of Swan Lake" an overview of all historic productions of this ballet from 1877 ++++ Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake ~ Tchaikovsky, Queval, and Royal Swedish Ballet (DVD - 2003) |
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Stravinsky - The Firebird / Royal Danish Ballet (Glen Tetley) ~ Royal Danish Ballet, Mette Hønningen, and Royal Danish Orchestra (DVD - 2002) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions The Firebird is kept in an enchanted garden where she is guarded by a Victorian family, lead by a father figure. With the help of her lover, the Firebird liberates herself from the family's strict traditions and bonds, and with each pas de deux she becomes more and more human. As in every fairy tale, good triumphs over evil. Her lover overcomes evil, in the form of the garden's guardian, and is at last reunited with his Firebird. Music by Igor Stravinsky, with the Royal Danish Orchestra, conducted by Poul Jorgensen. Choreography by Glen Tetley. ++++ Stravinsky - The Firebird / Royal Danish Ballet (Glen Tetley) ~ Royal Danish Ballet, Mette Hønningen, and Royal Danish Orchestra (DVD - 2002) |
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Mussorgsky - Boris Godunov / Nesterenko, Arkhipova, Piavko, Yaroslavtsev, Sokolov, Khaikin, Bolshoi Opera ~ Aleksandr Borisov, Nikolai Cherkasov, and Vladimir Balashov (DVD - 2004) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Mussorgsky - Boris Godunov / Nesterenko, Arkhipova, Piavko, Yaroslavtsev, Sokolov, Khaikin, Bolshoi Opera ~ Aleksandr Borisov, Nikolai Cherkasov, and Vladimir Balashov (DVD - 2004) ++++ Mussorgsky - Boris Godunov / Nesterenko, Arkhipova, Piavko, Yaroslavtsev, Sokolov, Khaikin, Bolshoi Opera ~ Aleksandr Borisov, Nikolai Cherkasov, and Vladimir Balashov (DVD - 2004) |
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Rudolf Nureyev & Erik Bruhn - Their Complete Bell Telephone Hour Performances (1961-1967) ~ Rudolf Nureyev, et al. (DVD - 2002) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Erik Bruhn performances: Don Quixote Grand Pas with Maria Tallchief; Swan Lake "Black Swan" Pas de Deux with Sonia Arova; Coppelia Pas de Deux with Sonia Arova; Romeo & Juliet Balcony Scene with Carla Fracci; La Sylphide Grand Pas with Carla Fracci. Rudolf Nureyev performances: Flower Festival in Genzano Pas de Deux with Maria Tallchief; Le Corsaire Pas de Deux with Lupe Serrano; Las Esmeralda "Diana and Actaeon" Pas de Deux with Svetlana Beriosova; Swan Lake "Black Swan" Pas de Deux with Svetlana Beriosova. 83 minutes, color and black and white. ++++ Rudolf Nureyev & Erik Bruhn - Their Complete Bell Telephone Hour Performances (1961-1967) ~ Rudolf Nureyev, et al. (DVD - 2002) |
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Tchaikovsky - Pique Dame (Queen of Spades) / Atlantov, Obraztsova, Milashkina, Mazurok, Grigoryev, Shemchuk, Simonov, Bolshoi Opera ~ Vladimir Atlantov, et al. (DVD - 2005) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions It is rare when four of the Bolshoi's greatest stars appear together in their home theatre in one of Russian opera's masterpieces. The opera was Tchaikovsky's, The Queen Of Spades, (Pique Dame). With a libretto written by the composer's brother, Modest, this tale of terror, with a plot involving obsessive love and gambling, hallucinations and descent into madness never fails to have a profound effect on its audience. The Bolshoi's production is riveting, with sumptuous sets and costumes, and the famed Bolshoi chorus and corps de ballet are at their most elegant and spectacular. ++++ Tchaikovsky - Pique Dame (Queen of Spades) / Atlantov, Obraztsova, Milashkina, Mazurok, Grigoryev, Shemchuk, Simonov, Bolshoi Opera ~ Vladimir Atlantov, et al. (DVD - 2005) |
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Rimsky-Korsakov - Mlada / Gavrilova, Borisova, Kulko, Nikolsky, Ananiashvili, Lazarev, Bolshoi Opera ~ Maria Gavrilova, et al. (DVD - 2005) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions This acclaimed production of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Mlada, a story of early Slavs prior to Christian conversion, captures the essence of the Bolshoi's traditions of drama and realism. It is complemented by Andrei Petrov's inspired choreography, with its amazing variety of ritual dances. Dancing is indeed the crux of Mlada, which can be described as a ballet with a vocal score as much as an opera with dancing. World-renowned star of the Bolshoi Ballet, Nina Ananiashvili, exquisitely dances the double role of Mlada/Cleopatra. Designer Valery Levental has created breathtaking fantasy effects, immersed in the traditions of Slavonic art, transforming the stage into a panorama of stunning, bizarre and ever-changing delights. With the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Subtitled in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Japanese ++++ Rimsky-Korsakov - Mlada / Gavrilova, Borisova, Kulko, Nikolsky, Ananiashvili, Lazarev, Bolshoi Opera ~ Maria Gavrilova, et al. (DVD - 2005) |
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Bamboo Dream ~ Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, et al. (DVD - 2003) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions In Bamboo Dream, the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan performs a stunning modern dance program inspired by the the evergreen bamboo. Much praised by poets over the centuries, the bamboo symbolizes integrity and simple elegance and is also the subject of many stories and legends. In Chinese folklore, bamboo groves are the home of nymphs and gods and serve as a refuge for wise men in times of political danger. Unlike choreographer Lin Hwai-min's other works, which are typically performed in a drawn-out balletic style, Bamboo Dream is characterised by vigorous, dance-like sequences, some of which are positively western/European in terms of dynamic, gesture and expression. The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan performs these dances to a combination of some of the most well known pieces by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt and melodies improvised by Chinese flute player Huang Sheng-Kai. ++++ Bamboo Dream ~ Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, et al. (DVD - 2003) |
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Kaguyahime - The Moon Princess / Nederlands Dans Theater (Jiri Kylian) ~ Nederlands Dans Theater (DVD - 2002) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions The story of the moon princess who descends to earth and is cared for by the family of a bamboo cutter is one of Japan's oldest fairy tales. Her luminous beauty is meant to spread peace and happiness, but instead the rivalry her heavenly presence provokes results in war. Jiri Kylian, artistic director of the Nederlands Dans Theater and one of Europe's most highly acclaimed choreographers, was inspired by Maki Ishii's musical composition of "Kaguyahime." Using Ishii's music combining Western and Eastern sound elements, Kylian focused on the philosophical message behind the Kaguyahime story and created a highly charged performance in which dance, music and theatrical imagery have equal importance. ++++ Kaguyahime - The Moon Princess / Nederlands Dans Theater (Jiri Kylian) ~ Nederlands Dans Theater (DVD - 2002) |
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The Art of the Pas de Deux, Vol. 2 ~ Margot Fonteyn, Maya Plisetskaya, Maria Tallchief, and Galina Ulanova (DVD - 2006) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions The Art of the Pas de Deux, Vol. 2 ~ Margot Fonteyn, Maya Plisetskaya, Maria Tallchief, and Galina Ulanova (DVD - 2006) ++++ The Art of the Pas de Deux, Vol. 2 ~ Margot Fonteyn, Maya Plisetskaya, Maria Tallchief, and Galina Ulanova (DVD - 2006) |
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Moon Water - Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan ~ Lin Hwai-min, Mischa Maisky, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Solo Cello (DVD - 2003) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions "Energy flows as water, while the spirit shines as the moon." This description of a Tai Chi practitioner's ideal state was the inspiration for Moon Water. Accompanied by selected compositions from J.S. Bach's cello suites, Lin Hwai-min’s choreography is derived from the graceful Chinese martial arts of Tai Chi. During this breathtaking performance, water sweeps across the stage and is flicked in arcs by the dancers’ moving arms and feet. Gradually, the sound of splashing water takes over from Bach, underpinning the vision, and the dancers throw themselves on the stage, surfing on the fine film of liquid. This gorgeous performance is not to be missed. ++++ Moon Water - Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan ~ Lin Hwai-min, Mischa Maisky, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Solo Cello (DVD - 2003) |
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Stravinsky - Pulcinella ~ Sheldon Schwartz, Amanda Bennett, and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (DVD - 2006) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Stravinsky - Pulcinella ~ Sheldon Schwartz, Amanda Bennett, and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (DVD - 2006) ++++ Stravinsky - Pulcinella ~ Sheldon Schwartz, Amanda Bennett, and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (DVD - 2006) |
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Songs of the Wanderers / Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan ~ Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan (DVD - 2001) Great Dance Performances 
Popular Ballet Productions Since its 1995 premiere, Songs of the Wanderers has gripped the imaginations of audiences worldwide. It is the signature work of Lin Hwai-min's Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Asia's leading contemporary dance company. The choreography blends Eastern and Western dance styles and demands absolute focus and control from the performers who, at times, appear to have been transformed from human beings into body sculptures, with startling imagery evoking a quest for spiritual enlightenment through experience and suffering. ++++ Songs of the Wanderers / Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan ~ Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan (DVD - 2001) |
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