Search - Stravinsky - The Firebird & Les Noces / Royal Ballet on DVD


Stravinsky - The Firebird & Les Noces / Royal Ballet
Stravinsky - The Firebird Les Noces / Royal Ballet
Actors: Leanne Benjamin, Jonathan Cope, David Drew, Genesia Rosato
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Special Interests, Educational, Musicals & Performing Arts
NR     2002     1hr 48min

The Royal Ballet's glorious Stravinsky Double Bill unleashes the spectacular production of "The Firebird" with the stark beauty of "Les Noces," magically choreographed by the legendary Nijinska. The all-star cast includes...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actors: Leanne Benjamin, Jonathan Cope, David Drew, Genesia Rosato
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Special Interests, Educational, Musicals & Performing Arts
Sub-Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Dance, Educational, Classical, Ballet & Dance
Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen
DVD Release Date: 10/22/2002
Release Year: 2002
Run Time: 1hr 48min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
Edition: Classical
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)

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Movie Reviews

Classic Stravinsky
Edward A. Perez | Alta Loma, CA | 03/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Firebird and Les Noces, two disparate ballets by Igor Stravinsky, are skillfully danced by The Royal Ballet of Covent Garden on this DVD recorded in 2001. The Firebird is a revival of the original Mikhail Fokine choreography. Bronislava Nijinska's Les Noces (The Wedding) is also faithfully reproduced. The scenery and costumes of The Firebird are striking and lavish, while they are plain and austere for Les Noces.The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, under the able direction of John Carewe, beautifully performs the unabridged score of The Firebird. Before the curtain rises, an on-screen plot synopsis accompanies the first few minutes of music. From start to finish, the well-mannered British audience (as opposed to the typically clap-happy American audience) does not needlessly interrupt the dancing with inappropriate, annoying applause. In the opening scene, Leanne Benjamin, the Firebird, flits across the stage with bird-like jumps. Prince Ivan, Jonathan Cope, appears next, hopping down from the wall that encloses the enchanted garden of the immortal and evil sorcerer Kotschei. Ivan hides, lying in wait to catch the Firebird and seizes her after she steals an apple from the magic tree. What ensues is a captivating performance by Ms Benjamin. Her acting is first-rate but her dancing is inspired, arms waving and hands fluttering. She is the firebird. Her leg work, turns, and jumps (developpes, chaines, and jetes) are marvelously executed. Jonathan Cope's partnering shows sensitivity and deftness. He and Benjamin dance as one, his lifting very silky and effortless. Cope's facial expressions and body language demonstrate fine acting. David Drew as Kotschei is deliciously grotesque: long fingernails, black skeleton costume, flowing cape, humped back, and scraggly beard. His grotesqueness, however, is tinged with humor. Genesia Rosato, the beautiful Tsarevna, is suitably demure. She and her 12 princesses play catch with apples taken from the enchanted tree (not great dancing, but an interesting diversion). Watching these attractive women in their long nightgowns prancing around the stage provides pleasure. The finale, full of pomp and circumstance, is emotionally and visually satisfying, intensified by a succession of full orchestral chords.In Les Noces, the two principals--Zenaida Yanowsky as the bride and David Pickering her groom--are nice to look at, but they do little dancing. The real stars in this dance-cantata are the men and women (especially the women) of the corps de ballet. Because this is a tricky ballet, full of changing beats and irregular tempos, dancers can easily lose count and make errors. Fortunately, they never do. Nijinska's choreography is just as fresh and modern today as it was when it was first performed in 1923. But the music (composed for four pianos, percussion, small chorus, and four soloists) is what makes this ballet-cantata a masterpiece.These two performances are emotionally and intellectually stimulating. Anyone who appreciates Stravinsky will be rewarded with the purchase of this DVD."
The best possible version, so far...
Robert Levonian | Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil | 04/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before getting this version of The Firebird I got the recently relesaed version by the Bolshoi called "The Firebird Returns", and I can testify to the London version's superiority, as far as dancing and stgaing are concerned. Leanne Benjamin is exquisite as the Firebird, her first pas de deux with Johnathan Cope is a marvel of precision and balance between dancing and pantomime, as she desperately tries to free herself from the Prince's arms. Mr Cope does not have much to do, no solos nor variations, so it's difficult to judge his talent from this tape - get a copy of The Prince of the Pagodas to see what he is capable of! Mr. Drew's Kotschei is a marvel of characterization: evil with a touch of humour, so far superior to his Russian counterpart!
As for the sets, I believe they do not reproduce the 1909 originals, which were destroyed by humidity, but the new ones made for the 1922 revival.
As for Les Noces, I found the version released by the Paris Opera Ballet better danced. They sing a French translation of the Russian text and their male soloist - Kader Belarbi - transmits a sense of dignity to the nuptial ceremony that is lacking in Mr. Pickering.One should not neglet to mention Mr. David Drew's funny account of how Ms. Bronislava Nijinska taught the choreographyto the first cast in the 60'."
The Royal Ballet excels again
zetajonesadmirer | 11/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This excellent version of two of Stravinsky's classic scores is danced by the superb Royal Ballet. 'Firebird' is particularly enthralling, with the recreation of the original Diaghilev sets of 1909. Ballet lovers will also be glad to have this rare chance to see 'Les noces', rarley performed but here given a persuasive performance by the company. I would have liked to see the two ballets performed in the opposite order, as Firebird might have been a more colourful ending - but this does not in any way mar a briliant issue."
A Battle In Visions -- Or What a Wedding!
M. F TERRIS | Miami, FL USA | 11/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD contains two marvelous works of Igor Stravinsky: his Firebird and Les Noces [the Wedding], each performed in ballet to a profoundly different effect. I am sure you will find this disc both enthralling and deeply disappointing.

The Firebird is Stravinsky's most popular work, and it receives top billing here. Musically, it is an experimental work, preparing the foundation for the revolution that is Le Sacre du Printemps. Yet, its treatment by thr Royal Ballet in costumes, scenery, and dance, is as a work of pure classical ballet, marked by grace, and a remarkable lack of dynamism. Firebird is not not Swan Lake (despite some similarities in their underlying myths); to treat Stravinsky like Tschaikovsky is to produce a banal anachronism. One ought not to blame Folkine here -- at least not entirely, for the Kirov's Return of the Firebird shows the excitement that can be produced in Folkine/Stravinsky conbinations, even if the Kirov's technical effects a bit over the top.

Ah!, but the production Les Noces with choreography by Nijinskaya is among the most extraordinary on disc. Through most of his music, Stravinsky in interested not in portraying the day to day reality of individual lives but the excitement and drama of community rituals. Nijinskaya, the sister of Nijinsky, choreographed a dance of extraordinary originality based on her own unique conception of formalized movement that underscores Stravinsky's artistic genius. Those who, like me, love the Taymor production of Oedipus Rex with Norman & Ozawa will be intoxicated by this dance. (Drew's commentary on Les Noces is the most enjoyable "extra" I have found on DVD.) If, however, you find these works distasteful, I am sure you will enjoy the Royal Ballet's Firebird."