Search - Delibes - Coppelia / Lyon National Opera Ballet (Maguy Marin) on DVD

Pourquois?

I. Martinez-Ybor | Miami, FL USA | 10/27/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"The great triumvirate of ballet composers, in chronological order are Delibes, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. Here we have a wonderful orchestral performance of a Delibes masterpiece conducted by Kent Nagano.Beyond the opportunity to listen to Delibes'score, this production proves its indestructability. I don't necessarily believe that choreographers cannot choreograph known music to their whim........ provided it works. In this case very little does. There is hardly any dancing.... even of the modern variety.... The conceit of a dream sequence showing multiple Coppelias all in red with blonde wigs, some of them in travesti, could have been fun if they were given something interesting to do or to dance. There is neither wit nor arresting movement to this longish sequence. Amazingly, this production has toured all over the world. I don't see it, hence I do not recommend it. If you buy it close your eyes and listen to the music."

Great music ..

Pierre Vanter | Buffalo, NY USA | 11/23/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"....the choreographer fails miserably - the fine dancers in this
wasteful production had to be mortified...in street clothes & sneakers - moving around in a banal parking lot - utterly useless appropriation of wonderful music. Junk in the name of daily modernity. Life is too short for ...this."

Comes across as a play rather than a dance performance

J. Lizzi | Costa Mesa, CA | 08/20/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"First, I bought this DVD. Then, I read the other (1-star) reviews of the performance. Now, I just watched it. Perhaps I should be concerned about my timing. All that aside, this is a very weak rendition of a classic ballet story. I doubt if many people will enjoy this performance.Even though I consider myself an open-minded fan of modern dance, I'd say this version of Coppelia (by Opera National de Lyon) is a major disappointment for one BIG reason: very little dancing. I wasn't bothered by the run-down, urban setting, nor did I find the dancers in street clothes to be revolting. Rather interesting, actually. Also, the fact that Leo Delibes' score was cut down drastically was only mildly upsetting. It's just that, with a run time of about an hour, I'd be shocked if there were more than twenty minutes of dance choreography on this disc. Too bad.I'll give credit where I believe it is due. The music is sensational: clear and moving. Also, the camera work and editing, while not A+ quality, are worthy of honorable mention (check out the activity in Coppelius' room while the projector is running). The lighting for the nighttime outdoor scenes is first-rate.As for the dancers ... I can't say. They were more actors than anything else, and not so believable at that. The story is purported to have an "edgy new twist," but it was only the cinematography aspect that kept my attention. As a ballet troupe, the artists are rendered virtually inert.If it's theater you're after, you'll probably stay interested all the way through. From a dance standpoint, I doubt you'll want to watch this more than once."

This Coppelia is brilliant!

Michael R. Peterson | Oakland, CA USA | 07/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The people who wrote bad reviews for this piece are prudish, narrow-minded, and totally lacking in imagination. This is one of the most brilliant ballets that I have ever witnessed. Everything about it is magical and stunning -- the urban set, the choreography, the vision. Ballet on asphalt and in sneakers? It totally works, and it's pure pleasure watching it develop. Don't miss a heart beat buying this film, and then prepare yourself for something entirely different from everything you previously imagined dance to be. A true gem, not to be missed!"