Dale Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 A new release from VAI, Violette Verdy: The Artist Teacher: http://www.vaimusic.com/VIDEO/DVD_4498_VioletteVerdy.htm Violette Verdy: The Artist Teacher VAI DVD 4498 $24.95 The legendary Violette Verdy, who excelled as a Balanchine ballerina, has distinguished herself as a coach to leading dancers in major international companies. This documentary focuses on Verdy’s work with students at the Chautauqua School of Dance. The School's Co-Directors, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride, former colleagues of Verdy at the New York City Ballet, discuss her work with the students. They and Verdy are also seen performing in rare performance footage. 40 min., Color/B&W, Stereo/mono, 4:3, All regions 1. Introduction 2. First Teachers 3. Balanchine & other colleagues 4. Verdy as Teacher 5. Chautauqua 6. The Spiritual Journey Performance excerpts include: Violette Verdy and Jacques d’ Amboise in “Pas de Deux.” Choreography by Tony Charmoli. Violette Verdy and Scott Douglas in “Romeo and Juliet.” Choreography by Serge Lifar. Violette Verdy in “The Still Point.” Choreography by Todd Bolender. Violette Verdy in “The Nutcracker.” Choreography by George Balanchine Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux in “Phèdre.” Choreography by Milko Sparemblek. Link to comment
Giannina Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 If it's anything at all like "Violette et Mr. B" it should be wonderful. Giannina Link to comment
bart Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 If it's anything at all like "Violette et Mr. B" it should be wonderful. You're right, Giannina. And, if it's anything like Verdy h erself -- anything at all -- it should be enchanting, enlightening and fun. Thanks, Dale. I notice that Amazon has it for release on June 30, with a discount. It's in my cart. (Reminder to BT'rs: if we order from Amazon -- clicking the box at the top of the page -- a percentage of the sale comes to Ballet Talk.) Link to comment
Jack Reed Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Thanks for the good news, Dale. While we're waiting for June 30, here's a little treat, while it lasts: On second thought, no dancing, so maybe it'll be up for a time. Link to comment
duffster Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Thanks Dale and Jack for this info about Violette. I was one of the fortunate ones to receive a Ford Foundation scholarship awarded by her. I believe that because of this award I was able to have a professional career. My parents did not want me to be a dancer. However years later they became very proud that I did. Link to comment
MakarovaFan Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Has anyone received their copy of this dvd yet? Link to comment
Dale Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 The release date was change a bunch of times, according to the confusing emails I received from Amazon. I gather it will be released July 15th-ish? Link to comment
Alexandra Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I got an email two days ago that they were sorry, but they had no release date, did I still want it? And I got an email yesterday saying it had been shipped. I'll keep you posted. Link to comment
Helene Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Apart from Verdy's personality shining through, this DVD is little like "Violette et M. B". In some ways, it feels like an infomercial for the Chautaqua program, with footage of students in performance, including an excerpt of NYCB's Daniel Ullbricht performing part of a solo from "Don Quixote". There were things in the narration, like calling McBride a Prima Ballerina with NYCB, that sound off. The dance excerpts were incompletely identified (or not at all) until the final credits, and even there, the credits didn't note with whom McBride was dancing in "The Still Point". However, watching her teach was inspiring and worth the DVD; the short excerpts of her dancing were icing on the cake. There were interviews with Jean-Pierre Bonnefous and (shorter) with Patricia McBride, along with Maris Battaglia, an associate director at Chautaqua. One of the most touching moments was Verdy's praise for Bonnefoux. The Sugar Plum Fairy variation was different in some places than any version I'd seen at NYCB. Some more info about the dance excerpts according to the credits, using Dale's info as a basis: Violette Verdy and Jacques d’ Amboise in “Pas de Deux.” Choreography by Tony Charmoli. Music: Traditional. From The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, 1959 Violette Verdy and Scott Douglas in “Romeo and Juliet.” Choreography by Serge Lifar. Music: Tchaikovsky. From Radio-Canada, 1952 Violette Verdy in “The Still Point.” Choreography by Todd Bolender. Music: Debussy, played by the Canadian String Quartet. Radio-Canada, 1963 Violette Verdy in “The Nutcracker.” Choreography by George Balanchine after Ivanov. Music: Tchaikovsky. 1961. Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux in “Phèdre.” Choreography by Milko Sparemblek. Music Georges Auric. Arranged by Anne Beranger. French TV, 1961. There's also an excerpt from "Romeo and Juliet" choreographed by Daniel Sadler, music by Hector Berlioz. Link to comment
Jack Reed Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Thanks, Helene. I gather the cake is somewhat half-baked but the icing makes up for it. VAI has posted a slice of it which confirms your review, complete with a bit of that icing, which of course we eat last: I can't resist! My order's going in. Link to comment
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