12 replies to this topic

[RachelsDream]

I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good copy of Swan Lake and La Bayadere - they are the only ones that I don't have in my video collection (although it is not very big!). Thank you!

Rachel

[rg]

after giving some thought to this question when choosing taped examples for my book, i decided upon the royal ballet's SWANLAKE w/ makarova & dowell, and recently out now on DVD and the kirov's LA BAYADERE w/ komleva, terekhova & abdiev. my reasons are given in the chapters on these ballets/tapes in my book, BALLET 101.
still other balletalerters may have strong feelings for other choices. so watch this space. and good luck,
rg

[RachelsDream]

Thank you! I will certainly watch this space and look for the tapes you suggested!

Rachel

[su-lian]

I can't compare them to what rg suggested, but I know there is a version of La Bayadère by Nureyev with Guérin, Platel and Hilaire (all very good dancers) and the Paris Opera Ballet (which I like), and a version of Swan Lake by Bart With Scherzer and Matz and the Berlin Opera Ballet.

[rg]

fyi: if you are looking buy and play your tape/dvd in the US, you might need to check to see that you are set up to play whatever item you purchase. for ex. i don't think the paris BAYADERE is available in ntsc tape or dvd, tho' i could be mistaken. i know the bart SWAN LAKE w/ berlin is available here, tho it is hardly what one might call 'traditional' or in much of a direct line from the ballet's russian history regarding petipa/ivanov/gorsky's choreography. it does however include odette's mime which the royal ballet one does not.

[RachelsDream]

I am familiar with the Berlin Opera Ballet version. While I enjoy it I am looking for something a little more classical. Also, can a DVD player play bothe European and American DVD's? (Hope that makes sense).

Rachel

[rg]

there might be a way to go back to an exchange about this 'problem' of dvd's in the euro region(s) for PAL systems.
the short of it is, probably not, unless you ask about being able to play other regions, most dvd players here play our region, that is no. 1, only.
best to stick to ntsc/region 1 disks unless you know something special about your player.
the royal ballet SWAN LAKE recently released on dvd is definitely for region 1/ntsc, so you'd be able to play it w/no trouble.

[RachelsDream]

Thanks, that really helps clear things up on that matter for me! I just wish every continent played DVD/video in the same format.

Rachel

[sidwich]

It is very possible to get a multi-region dvd player if you look around.

[Ari]

I asked a friend who collects DVDs (not ballet) from other regions, and she said that multi-region DVD players are easily available and not too expensive — the highest price she's ever heard of has been $250 US. There are a number of Web sites that sell them, and if you live in a big city or one with a lot of immigrants from "other region" countries, it should be easy to find one there (that is, not in the chain stores or mainstream electronics stores but in small shops in ethnic enclaves). My friend lives in San Francisco and got hers in Chinatown. For what it's worth, she likes the Sampo brand, and recommends that if you are able to shop around locally that you bring a DVD from another region with you to try it out.

[RachelsDream]

Thank you so much! I very glad to know that as a lot of ballet performances I would like to have, are European. That is a must to go and look for one! Thanks again!

Rachel

[sidwich]

Yes, I got a multi-region DVD player expressly to watch DVDs from Europe (am I sad or what?) And I agree that SAMPO works pretty well.

[luna]

I just recently purchased a London Festival Ballet video--the ballet was staged by Makarova after Petipa. I haven't watched numerous versions of S.L., so don't know how it compares to others that were mentioned, but I really liked it nonetheless. The lead ballerina playing Odette/Odile is amazing!