Ballet Performance Videos - Manon, Nutcracker.

Fantasy and magic are the essential ingredients of The Nutcracker, and Tchaikovsky’s imaginative score helps bring to life the fantasy world of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s enchanting story of The Nutcracker and The Mouse King. Gennady Rozhdestvensky is the guest conductor who…”drew ravishing playing from this most ravishing of Tchaikovsky’s ballet scores.” (Guardian) Though the original scenario for The Nutcracker was considered to be fatally flawed, this magical work has survived to become one of the firmest favorites in the ballet repertory. This new production by Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Peter Wright, with the help of Tchaikovsky ballet expert, Roland John Wiley, attempts to rescue from far-flung archives surviving evidence of the original Ivanov/Sergueyev staging, combined with some captivating modern stage effects. 192 mins. (1985) DVD-Region 1.

This historic performance from 1968 captures Rudolf Nureyev at the peak of his career. Nureyev’s legendary performance makes this the definitive Nutcracker DVD. Also features Merle Park as Clara with Artists of the Royal Ballet, London. Watch, and enjoy being transported with Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairies and the Nutcracker Prince into a world of fantasy! DVD digitally re-mastered. 100 mins. DVD-Region 1.

Through the testimony of those closest to Nureyev, this program tells the compelling and hitherto untold story of his last years. It is a documentary about one man’s creative vision, a genius trapped in a dying body. Above all, it shows one man’s desperate struggle to transcend the confines of mortality, doing what he loved most – dancing. 60 mins. (1999) DVD-Region 1.

Starring: Arne Villumsen and Mona Jessen. Conductor: Peter Ernst Lassen. Choreographer and Composer: August Bournonville. The dramatic tradition of the remarkable dancer and choreographer, August Bournonville, is the keystone of the continuing excellence of the Royal Danish Ballet, and Napoli is his happiest masterpiece. Persuaded by his friend Hans Christian Andersen to travel to Italy, Bournonville was inspired by his stay in Naples to create this romantic ballet, which tells the story of the young fisherman Gennaro and his beloved Teresina. 97 mins. (2006) DVD-Region 1.

Choreographer: Jean-Christopher Maillot. Composer: Cera, Lazkano. A series of seven choreographic displays explores the richness of human relations. Seven original music compositions, written for the 20th Anniversary of the Printemps des Arts have been selected by Choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot. 70 mins. (2006) DVD-Region 1.

Choreographer: Kenneth MacMillian. Designer: Nicholas Georgiadis. Scenario: Gillian Freeman. Stage Lighting: John B. Read. Staging: Monica Mason. Music: Franz Liszt. Arrangement: John Lanchbery. Conductor: Barry Wordsworth. The Orchestra of The Royal Opera House – Leader: John Brown. Cast: Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary: Irek Mukhamedov. Baroness Mary Vetsera: Viviana Durante. Countess Marie Larisch: Lesley Collier. Mitzi Caspar: Darcey Bussell. Princess Stephanie: Jane Burn. Empress Elisabeth: Nicola Tranah. Bratfisch: Matthew Hart. Mitzi Caspar: Darcey Bussell. Four Hungarian Officers: Stuart Cassidy, Adam Cooper, Errol Pickford, William Trevitt. Artists of The Royal Ballet – Executive Producer: Revel Guest. Producers: Stephany Marks and Jane Pleydell-Bouverie. Director: Derek Bailey. 135 mins. (1994) DVD-Region 1.

Tchaikovsky’s much-loved score and Olivier award winning designer Anthony Ward’s stunning sets and costumes with sizzling choreography. Promising a fresh serving of the traditional Christmas fare, Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! is a delightful feast for all of the family. 88 mins. (2005) DVD-All-Region.

Conductor: Noel Smith. Choreographer and Composer: Sir Kenneth MacMillan. This highly-rated production of Manon by The Australian Ballet was recorded live at the Adelaide Festival in 1995 and features premier dancers Justine Summers, Steven Heathcote, Nigel Burley, Jonathan Kelly, Lynette Wills and Paul De Masson. In 18th century Paris, Manon, a captivating young woman, falls passionately in love with a penniless student, des Grieux. Manipulated by her avaricious brother, she makes a fatal decision to shun her true love and exploit the pleasures of wealth. Des Grieux, a victim of Manon’s desires and depravity, sacrifices everything to follow her to a tragic end. 110 mins. (2006) DVD-Region 1.

Natalia Makarova is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest ballerinas of our age. The content of this television spectacular was chosen to show off the astonishing range and artistry of this uniquely gifted dancer. Some of Makarova's most acclaimed interpretations, including Natalya Petrovna in Ashton's A Month in the Country and Juliet in MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet, are featured in this recording alongside dances created especially for her. 65 mins. (2007) DVD-Region 1.

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Ballet Performance Videos

Filmed in the Soviet Union and never seen before by Western audiences, this extraordinary one-act ballet, Medea, freely interprets the classic drama of Euripides. Through music and dance it reveals the ancient story of a powerful woman's revenge upon her faithless husband and the younger rival who has stolen him away from her. Written and directed by Georgiy Aleksidze and Elgudja Zhgenti and with a score by Revaz Gabichvadze, Medea is an important discovery that should be in every dance library. 66 mins. (2008) DVD-All-Region.

Shakespeare's masterpiece of murder and intrigue in mist-shrouded Scotland is brought to life through dance in this superb production by the Bolshoi Ballet taped live at Moscow's historic Bolshoi Theatre. Choreographed by Vladimir Vasiliev in 1980 to powerful music by the celebrated composer, Maestro Molchanov, Macbeth stars Alexei Fadeyechev in the title role and Nina Timofeyeva as his unscrupulous consort. Brilliantly danced, and acted with bloodcurdling conviction, Macbeth is superb drama and stunning entertainment for all. 97 mins. (2008) DVD-All-Region.