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Whistle Stopper - Delibes: Sylvia
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List Price: $32.98
Our Price: $22.92
Your Save: $ 10.06 ( 31% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Opus Arte
Starring: Leo Delibes, Darcey Bussell, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
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Average Customer Rating: 
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0809478009863
Format: Classical
Label: Opus Arte
Manufacturer: Opus Arte
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Opus Arte
Region Code: 0
Release Date: 2008-01-29
Running Time: 117
Studio: Opus Arte
Theatrical Release Date: 1996
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: A common man's point of view.
Comment: With all the great reviews already written for this performance, you may not need a Common man's point of view. Actually, Ivy Lin's review is the one to read. I think it was she who convinced me to buy this version of the ballet. However, maybe I can add something worth while.
One thing I don't think I saw, was a reference to that other magnificent ballet score by Leo Delibes, "Coppelia". If you do not own a copy of Coppelia, buy it soon. It is quite inexpensive, less than $10.00 from one of Amazon's dealers. I recommend the Australian Ballet version with Lisa Pavane and Greg Horsman. The Australian Ballet - Coppelia Someone said they were husband and wife, if so they have the appearance of a perfect couple.
If for no other reason, one should own these two ballets just for the music. It is stand alone quality, just as Tchaikovsky's is.
The horn passage which is played at Sylvia's entrance is some of the grandest horn music ever written. I think Leo Delibes knew it was good so he let us hear it three times in just the entrance sequence, and more of it later. It was a great aid in the understanding of the ballet to hear Bussel's introduction before each act. We are not all balletomanes, as some people like to call themselves, so we can use some information like she gave us. Also, it's nice to see what happens on stage before curtain-rise, another good reason to have a live performance instead of a filmed studio version. I thought it was remarkable that Bussel was able to make a complete costume change (in act two) in just one minute and fifteen seconds. When I told my daughter Cindy, who worked on stage at Atlanta's Six Flags Over Georga in the Crystle Pistol Theater, she said that was nothing as she had to change from a complete full length skirt with petty coats and button up blouse into a like costume in only forty seconds. And, they have to do it right in front of God and the rest of the back-stage world. Now I appreciate what they do even more.
Since we are talking about Sylvia I would like to say something about another version of this ballet that I wish someone else had bought instead of me. That is, the Paris Opera Ballet version. Delibes - Sylvia / Aurelie Dupont, Manuel Legris, Nicolas Le Riche, Marie-Agnes Gillot, Jose Martinez, Paris Opera Ballet Unless you are WAY INTO modern dance and ugly body movement don't bother to buy it. Well, I'm a common man and this is how I saw it, plain and simply awful. I loved Aurelie Dupont in "La Sylphide". She is a very beautiful woman even in this ballet when they finally got her into some decent clothes, but to begin with she was not very pretty. I have my own self to blame for having purchased this POB version because I did not read any reviews before purchasing it.
The Royal Ballet version of Sylvia is very good and the orchestra is superb. Also, the British make very good audiences as they know enough to hold their enthusiasm in check until the right moment, and thank goodness we don't have to listen to that irritating syncopated clapping that the Russians are so famous for.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Sylvia neglected no longer
Comment: The story is nonsense. SO WHAT! The music is great; the dancing uniformly excellent and Darcey Bussell spectacular. If you haven't seen her before ( I had not ), you're in for a treat. Her dancing manages to be at the same time athletic AND beatiful. If you want to see a prima who is technically superb and also sexy (is it O.K. to say that in the context of classical ballet), this is the DVD for you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Most Requested By Friends
Comment: Of all the ballets in my VHS and DVD collection, this has been the most frequently requested since it arrived in January. Neighbors and friends have brought their friends to enjoy the spectacle of beautiful dancing, orchestral playing and visual splendor on my HDTV large screen, surround sound system. The score has been one of my favorites since childhood and it is well served here. The scenery is lavish and lush. The dancing? In a word, WOW! The pairing of Bussell and Bolle is perfect. Each compliments the other and can dazzle when dancing solo or together. Too bad there wasn't more choreography for Bolle's Aminta, but since this was originally created for Fonteyn (only saw her do a few excerpts, never the complete) it's understandable that Ashton concentrated on her. The supporting dancers and corps de ballet are excellent. One last compliment must go to the video director who, mercifully, ignored the quick-cut MTV style of photography so prevalent today and presents a beautifully balanced presentation so you can see all of the dancing. A wonderful way to spend an evening with family and friends. Most highly recommended.
Customer Rating:
Summary: the best Sylvia you will find.
Comment: Sylvia is a ballet rarely performed these days. This Royal Ballet version has superb dancers, the lovely Darcey Bussell, a fine score and good classical choreography. The ballet has a mythological story line that is as daffy and arbitrary as many fairy tales (statues coming to life, for example}, and it must be noted that there is little in the way of emotional and psychological depth. However the dancing is lovely.
Customer Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Ballet Video
Comment: I purchased this Ballet video mostly based on the reviews of others. I found their reviews to be quite accurate and am happy I purchased it. I am very new to ballet so I will leave the technical reviews to the experienced. I thought the music was excellent and so was the dancing. I was unfamiliar with the lead dancers but was very impressed with their talent. I appreciated that the video was full wide screen with surround sound. You can't beat talent, but modern technology certainly enhances it. I thoroughly enjoyed the ballet and highly recommend it to others.
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