Surrender, Dorothy [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Average customer rating:

Technically excellent, but sometimes uninspired

The Kirov Ballet - Celebrates Nijinsky [2002]
Starring: The Kirov Ballet , Marinsky Theatre Orchestra , Marinsky Theatre Chorus , and Mikhail Agrest
Director: Valery Gergiev
Manufacturer: Arthaus Musik
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Classical | Categories | DVD | Video
DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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Ballets Russes [2005]

ASIN: B00008O8BY
Release Date: 2004-11-29

Customer Reviews:

Technically excellent, but sometimes uninspired.......2007-06-04

This is a revival of 4 short ballets originally created for the Ballet Russes and their superstar, Nijinsky, in the begnning of the 20th century. I was familiar with the three, which have indeed been faithfully reconstructed. I had never seen the Polovtsian dances before, so let's start with that. This is actually a fragment from Borodin's opera "Prince Igor" and even if you have not heard the music before, it will sound familiar since the main themes have been used in the musical "Kismet" and at least one of them has become an international hit (Stranger in Paradise). There is no plot here, just a group of Polovtsians (some Tatar tribe, I guess,) dancing during a celebration. The choreography uses, quite appropriately, folk elements. The corps-de-ballet is impressive and the leading dancer, Islom Baimuradov, is spectacular. In fact, since I have the other three balets in what I consider better presentations, this is the part I am most likely to watch again in the future.
Sheherazade is a tale of passion. Svetlana Zakharova in the title role, is technically stunning, but she lacks the sensuality and intensity other dancers have brought to the part. (Most memorably, Ilze Liepa in the "Return of the Firebird".) Farukh Ruzimatov as the Golden Slave is an excellent dancer, but, again, there seems to be little chemistry (or, in this case, sexual tension,) between him and his "mistress". The corps-de-ballet is, as one would expect, great.
The "Spectre de la Rose" is a rarely presented work. The plot is inspired by a poem by Theophile Gautier. A girl returns from a party and goes to sleep, leaving her corsage on her nightstand. The rose she was wearing, withers slowly, happy that its short life was spent on her bosom. A sense of dreaminess is essential to justify the tale, and Zhanna Ayupova, as the girl, manages to capture it. Igor Kolb as the Rose (or the Ghost of the rose,) looks too muscular and earth-bound (Nijinsky was famous for his androgynous looks). His dancing is first-rate, except for the unimpressive final jump out of the window. Reportedly, audiences gasped when Nijinsky did that.
The "Firebird" is the most famous and often seen of these works. Diana Vishneva is wonderful as the bird and easily holds her place next to the "legends" whose performances in the part have been preserved on film (Fonteyn, Ananyashvili, etc.) Andrei Yakovlev as the Prince is competent, though he does not always remember to hold on to the bird during their pas-de-deux.

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