The Royal Ballet, Conductor John Carewe

The Royal Ballet's glorious Stravinsky double bill unleashes the spectacular production of The Firebird with the stark beauty of Les Noces. The all-star cast includes Zenaida Yanowsky and David Pickering as the Bride and Bridegroom in Les Noces and Leanne Benjamin as The Firebird,

As an added bonus this unmissable DVD also includes exclusive behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of the two ballets.

Region Code: NTSC
Picture format: 16/9
Running time: 108 mins
Menu languages: GB
Sound format: Dolby Surround, LPCM Stereo
Cat. No.: OA 0833 D NTSC

PLUS
Nijinska's World David Drew remembers his role in Nijinska's original production of Les Noces.

Rehearsals Behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of The Firebird and Les Noces.

Stravinsky conducts Stravinsky - The composer conducts the Firebird Ballet Suite.

REVIEWS
'The Firebird and Les Noces in revelatory and near definitive versions…' Best DVDs of the Year 2002 The Independent

'More gaping is required with the DVD of two ofsssss Stravinsky's early ballets…captured onstage at Covent Garden last year…Many music lovers may think that they know The Firebird inside out. But without reproductions of the original choreography and the sets and costumes' extraordinary spangle and splash, they have enjoyed only half the experience. Here again are those stabbing notes…but now we see the spectacle they accompany, with dancer David Drew's spindly fingers stretched out, the costume fantastical, gestures tearing the air. The folk rituals of Les Noces, danced against the sparest décor, offer a far different experience, no less enthralling. The joy of this DVD stretches beyond the images. John Carewe brings to his conducting vast experience and love of these pivotal 20th-century scores. And the Royal Opera House Orchestra play like angels, or devils (the music demands both), on top of every nuance, riding every thwack and thrust.'
The Times