Search - Massenet - Manon / Penney, Dowell, Wall, Royal Ballet, Covent Garden on DVD

Manon

05/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have only the best things to say about the Royal Ballet and their production of Manon. This production was fantastic. The scenery and costumes were wonderful. The dancers were excellent. I thought that Jennifer Penny was a marvelous Manon, and in my opinion, I like Anthony Dowell better in the role of Des Grieux, than in any other ballet video that he has ever done.Monica Mason dances her role exquisitely and David Wall was a fantastic Lescaut.The whole ballet company was outstanding.Not only do they dance well, but they are also great actors and actresses. The choreography by Kenneth MacMillan is vibrant, dramatic, eciting and entertaining.The music, by Massenet, is lovely.The story of Manon also presents a wonderful moral message, that while love can bring out the best in people, money and riches can corrupt them, and that the fundemental important things in life, are not the gaining of money and riches, but how a person conducts themself in society (do they posess moral values). It took me a long time to build up the courage to buy this video, but after having seen it, I am so glad that I did. I have 12 ballet videos that I love and adore, but this video has to be the one that I love the most."

A modern ballet in the classical style

J. M WILINSKY | teaneck, NJ United States | 08/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very beautiful and interesting ballet, consummately performed by the Royal Ballet. It has a very generous supply of both male and female solo variations, as well as pas de deux, trois, etc. There is even a pas de trois adagio of a lover's triangle, reminiscent of the one in "La Sylphide". There is also a good deal of humor in the choreography: In the opening solo male adagio, the dancer pushes a bystander out of the way in the middle of his variation! There is also a wonderful drunken dance solo. This is an excellent addition to any dvd ballet collection."

A common man's point of view.

Richard Rawls | Dublin Ga USA | 12/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh, what utterly beautiful music just a few notes arranged together perfectly will make. They will be found in the love pas de deux of Des Grieux, (Anthony Dowell) and Manon, (Jennifer Penney) shortly after they first meet. The pose you see on the cover of the keep-case is from that pas de deux. I many times skip through the chapters to the "falling in love" pas de deux to listen to the music. Jennifer's use of her hands and arms are a dance unto themselves, and she dances even when her feet do not touch the floor.

This is a very moving love story about a young man who knows he is in love, with a woman who isn't quite so sure of her love for him. Of course, he does not have the Devil in the form of her brother Lescaut, (David Wall) to tempt him away from his love. Tragically, Manon succumbs to the sparkle of jewels and the feel of luxurious fur against her skin, which blind her to true love.

This is also a very complicated story, and it is to his credit that Kenneth MacMillan choreographed a ballet which could tell the story so well w/o a word spoken. We are taken from the slums of Paris, through Des Grieux's apartment, into "Madam's" house, where there is cheating at cards, which leads to murder, and Manon's imprisonment in New Orleans and into the swamps and her death. She does not die alone, however, for her lover, Des Grieux follows her to New Orleans, and saves her from a despicable jailer. Unfortunately, she is already sick and she is unable to survive her ordeal in the swamps. I will tell you, it is hard to keep back the tears.

To really appreciate this ballet it must be viewed several times. It is lovelier each time I see it. Add this ballet to your collection, and you, too, will become absorbed by it, and you too, will enjoy it over and over.

I recently read the story of Manon Lescaut by author Abbe Prevost from which this ballet is "loosely" based. I can understand why it could have influenced three operas and one ballet. It is a very tender love story, and you too may want to check it out from your library. I'm sort of a sentimental person, and wear my emotions close to the surface. I was not able to hold back the tears while I read the last few pages of the story. I kept wanting to hear the music from the ballet all through the story. The story MAY be a veiled autobiography of it's author. Happy viewing and reading.....Richard."

JUST WHAT ONE EXPECTS FROM SIR KENNETH

drkhimxz | Freehold, NJ, USA | 05/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nothing much to add to the previous reviews. MacMillan provides a rich variety of drama, romance, action, comedy and tragedy presented in impeccable dance language. The Royal Ballet Ballet Company and all the people behind the scenes do a fine job in support of the choreographic conception. The Orchestra provides a strong foundation and the audience restrains its coughing to inaudibility. What more can one ask.
Highly recommended for everyone regardless of familiarity with ballet."