Bournonville: La Sylphide & Flower Festival in Genzano – ICA Classics DVD

UPC: 5060244550995

Product Features

• Title: La Sylphide & Flower Festival in Genzano (Pas de Deux)
• Choreographer: August Bournonville
• Music:
  • La Sylphide: Herman Severin Løvenskiold
  • Flower Festival in Genzano: Matthias Strebinger, arranged by Holger Simon Paulli
• Cast:
  • La Sylphide:
    • James: Flemming Flindt
    • The Sylph: Lucette Aldous
    • Ellie: Shirley Dixon
    • Gurn: John Chesworth
    • Madge: Gillian Martlew
  • Flower Festival in Genzano (Pas de Deux):
    • Paolo: Rudolf Nureyev
    • Rosa: Merle Park
• Orchestra:
  • La Sylphide: London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Ellenberg
  • Flower Festival in Genzano: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducted by Ashley Lawrence
• Recorded:Format: DVD, NTSC, All Regions
  • La Sylphide: 31 January & 2 February 1961
  • La Sylphide (Bonus Act II Pas de Deux): 10 July 1960
  • Flower Festival in Genzano: 15 December 1974
• Running Time: 80 minutes, 55 seconds
• Sound: Enhanced Mono
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
• Label: ICA Classics
• Release Year: 2013

Overview

This ICA Classics DVD features two of August Bournonville's most celebrated ballets, performed by some of the greatest ballet stars of the 20th century. In La Sylphide, Flemming Flindt and Lucette Aldous deliver a spellbinding performance, capturing the grace and lightness of Bournonville's choreography. This ballet, with its timeless story of love, enchantment, and tragedy, is presented alongside a bonus Act II Pas de Deux, performed by Flindt and Elsa-Marianne von Rosen in a 1960 recording.

The pas de deux from Flower Festival in Genzano showcases the dazzling talent of Rudolf Nureyev and Merle Park. Nureyev, at the height of his powers, delivers a charismatic performance, while Park brings elegance and charm to the role of Rosa. Their chemistry is undeniable, making this performance an iconic moment in ballet history.

This DVD is part of the ICA Classics Legacy series, which restores rare historical footage of legendary performances, offering a unique glimpse into the classical heritage of dance.

Bonus Features

• La Sylphide (Act II Pas de Deux) performed by Flemming Flindt and Elsa-Marianne von Rosen, recorded in 1960 with the Pro Arte Orchestra conducted by Carmen Dragon.

Interesting Facts

• August Bournonville, a Danish choreographer, is known for his signature style, characterized by effortless grace, light jumps, and vivid storytelling. His ballets are part of the core classical repertoire, especially in Scandinavian ballet companies.
• Rudolf Nureyev was one of the most celebrated male ballet dancers of all time, known for his technical brilliance and dramatic intensity. His partnership with Merle Park in the Flower Festival in Genzano pas de deux is considered one of the finest moments in ballet history.
• La Sylphide is one of the oldest surviving ballets, first performed in 1836, and remains a favorite for its ethereal story and delicate choreography.

Publishers

• Label: ICA Classics
• Produced by: BBC, under license to International Classical Artists Ltd.

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