TCHAIKOVSKY: Sleeping Beauty (Nureyev)

Dancer's Dream
The Grand Ballets of Rudolf Nureyev
Sleeping Beauty

Director: Hugues R. Gall
Director of Dance: Brigitte Lefevre
Ballet Master: Patrice Bart

DV-BLDDSB

Picture Format: 16:9
Sound Format: LPCM stereo
Running Time: 89 Mins
Region Code: PAL All
Booklet Languages: GB, F, D
Recording Date: March 1999

• Ten years after the premiere, when Nureyev himself danced the role of the fairy Carabosse, the Opera Bastille has once more made use of Nureyev's choreography. Some minor details were ironed out in order to stage a brilliant performance of Princess Aurora and Prince Desire. The effect of the sumptuous decor and shimmering costumes on the enormous stage of the Bastille Opera is irresistible and the quality of the dancers is of the highest calibre. Elisabeth Platel as Princess Aurora and Manuel Legris, who had already danced under Nureyev, in the role of Prince Desire, pull out all the stops in a wonderful portrayal of subtle romance in their great 'pas de deux'. Nureyev's assistant of many years' standing, Patricia Ruanne, was responsible for the production.

• This recording includes all rehearsals from the beginning to the premiere and gives insight into the character of each role and the specific difficulties connected with their interpretation. In addition the dancers talk about the peculiarities of Nureyev's style and how he influenced their own style of dancing and their approach to later roles.

• Sleeping Beauty is the purest portrayal of the ideal of the classical ballet: a purely choreographic work on the highest technical level. The austere dramatic structure generates just enough emotional inspiration to ensure the continuation of the story but does not in any way interfere with the abstract theatrical atmosphere of the ballet.

CAST

Princess Aurora Elisabeth Platel
Prince Charming Manuel Legris
Fairy Carabosse Clotilde Vayer
Fairy Lilac Nathalie Rique