Description

Treasures of the Russian Ballet: Leningrad Kirov Ballet & Bolshoi Ballet DVD

UPC: 5060244550742

Product Features

Ballet Companies:
- Leningrad Kirov Ballet
- Bolshoi Theatre Ballet
Featured Dancers:
- Galina Ulanova
- Maya Plisetskaya
- Vladimir Vasiliev
- Ekaterina Maximova
- Yuri Soloviev
- Maris Liepa
- Raisa Struchkova
- Alla Sizova
- Nicolai Fadeyechev
Music Composers:
- Sergei Prokofiev, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Ludwig Minkus, Aram Khachaturian, Adolphe Adam
Choreographers:
- Yuri Grigorovich, Lev Ivanov, Alexander Gorsky, Rostislav Zakharov, Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot, Nina Anisimova
Orchestras:Run Time: 81 minutes
- Covent Garden Orchestra
- Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Region Code: All regions (Worldwide)
Format: DVD, NTSC, 4:3 picture format
Audio: Enhanced Mono
Publisher: ICA Classics, 2012

Overview

Treasures of the Russian Ballet is a celebration of the legendary dancers of the Leningrad Kirov Ballet and Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, captured in rare, historic footage. This ICA Classics DVD presents stunning performances of classic ballets, many seen for the first time in the West, restored to their full glory. Featuring some of the most revered figures in ballet history, including the iconic Galina Ulanova and Maya Plisetskaya, this DVD showcases the excellence of Russian ballet at the height of its artistic prowess.

The program includes mesmerizing extracts from The Stone Flower, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Giselle, Gayaneh, and Don Quixote, with dancers who defined these roles for a generation. The artistry of the dancers is paired with the musical brilliance of composers like Sergei Prokofiev, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Ludwig Minkus, conducted by renowned maestros such as Alexander Kopylov and Yuri Fayer.

Performances

The Stone Flower (Act I)
- Choreography: Yuri Grigorovich
- Music: Sergei Prokofiev
- Danila: Yuri Soloviev
- Katerina: Alla Sizova
- Leningrad State Kirov Ballet
- Recorded: July 1960
Swan Lake (Extracts)
- Choreography: Lev Ivanov & Alexander Gorsky
- Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Odette: Galina Ulanova
- Prince Siegfried: Nicolai Fadeyechev
- Bolshoi Theatre Ballet
- Recorded: October 21, 1956
Cinderella (Extracts)
- Choreography: Rostislav Zakharov
- Music: Sergei Prokofiev
- Cinderella: Raisa Struchkova
- The Prince: Mikhail Lavrovsky
Giselle (Extracts)
- Choreography: Jean Coralli & Jules Perrot
- Music: Adolphe Adam
- Giselle: Ekaterina Maximova
- Prince Albrecht: Maris Liepa
Gayaneh (Extracts)
- Choreography: Nina Anisimova
- Music: Aram Khachaturian
- Gayaneh: Nina Timofeyeva
- Armen: Nicolai Fadeyechev
Don Quixote (Extracts)
- Choreography: Alexander Gorsky
- Music: Ludwig Minkus
- Kitri: Maya Plisetskaya
- Basilio: Vladimir Vasiliev
- Bolshoi Theatre Ballet
- Recorded: July 1963

Interesting Facts

Galina Ulanova, who stars as Odette in Swan Lake, is regarded as one of the greatest ballerinas of all time, holding an almost mythical status in Russian ballet.
Maya Plisetskaya’s portrayal of Kitri in Don Quixote showcases her incredible athleticism and expressive dance, which made her an international ballet icon.
This DVD captures a golden era of Russian ballet with performances from the Leningrad Kirov Ballet and Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, offering a rare glimpse into the West's first exposure to these Soviet-era ballet companies.
The DVD features performances recorded as early as 1956, when Soviet dancers were first introduced to Western audiences.
The Covent Garden Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra accompany these dancers, underlining the importance of collaboration between musicians and dancers in ballet productions.