Mikhailovsky Ballet Orchestra Of Mikhailovsky Theatre Sorokin - Bayadere - DVD

The purity of classical dance meets the opulent exoticism of the Maharajas' India in this 150-year-old ballet, glorified by Nacho Duato for the Mikhailovsky Ballet. Of Ancient India, composer Ludwig Minkus made in his La Bayadère the shiny background of the tragic love story between a priestess and a warrior, unable to get together in this world or in the next. For this new production with the Mikhailovsky Ballet, of which he is the artistic director, Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato created a new version extremely respectful of Marius Petipa's original, preserving the traditional synopsis and the great coups de théâtre of the libretto, and keeping the original choreography for the most famous scenes. But at the same time, he liberates the ballet from the weight of it's own anachronism, removes the episodes of pointless pantomime, and relocates it in an extravagant, lavish and colorful set. Before working on La Bayadère, Duato had already tackled some of the great classics of the Russian classical ballet school his original versions of Sleeping Beauty (BAC131 BAC431) and The Nutcracker, both commissioned by the Mikhailovsky, have since then toured in the whole world and were met with tremendous success - from Milan and Berlin to Novossibirsk. For this new project, he surrounds himself with the excellent Principals Angelina Vorontsova and Victor Lebedev, but also with Andrea Laššáková, outstanding in the role of Gamzatti.

Natalia Makarova's acclaimed production of this 19th-century classic ballet brings an exotic world of temple dancers and noble warriors to life. Featuring opulent sets by Pier Luigi Samaritani and beautiful costumes by Yolanda Sonnabend, it stars Marianela Nunez as the Bayadère (temple dancer) Nikiya, Vadim Muntagirov as Solor, and Natalia Osipova as Gamzatti, whose alluring presence challenges Solor's love for Nikiya. La Bayadere (The Temple Dancer) was originally staged in four acts and seven tableaux by French choreographer Marius Petipa to the music of Ludwig Minkus. The ballet was staged especially for the benefit performance of the Russian Prima ballerina Ekaterina Vazem, who created the principal role of Nikiya. From the first performance the ballet was universally hailed by contemporary critics as one of the choreographer Petipa's supreme masterpieces, particularly the scene from the ballet known as The Kingdom of the Shades, which became one of the most celebrated pieces in all of classical ballet.

The present showcases five outstanding ballets from the legendary Teatro alla Scala. First is Romeo and Juliet. The stars of this masterly performance are Roberto Bolle and Misty Copeland, together for the first time in this ballet. Next is The Sleeping Beauty which received fantastic reviews InchTimofej Andrijashenko had a great debut with the Désiré of Nureyev. Polina Semionova was an amazing AuroraInch (Strata Gemmi) InchA great production, a success thanks to a superlative and thrilling ballet company. Inch (LUUK) Don Quixote follows, and classical ballet stars Natalia Osipova (Bolshoi Ballet) and Leonid Sarafanov (Mariinsky Ballet) make this a breathtaking distinctive performance. Next is Le Corsaire, of which critics wrote InchThe star is the ballet company, in dazzling formInch (Il Giorno), InchImpeccableInch (Informadanza). And finally, The Lover's Garden InchThe creative genius of the choreographer Volpini leaves a strong mark on this new production, confirming the talent. Inch (giornaledelladanza. Com)