Blu-ray
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Pacific Northwest Ballet)
Patricia Barker (Tatania); Paul Gibson (Oberon); Seth Belliston (Puck); Lisa Apple (Helena); Julie Tobiason (Hermia); Ross Yearsley (Lysander); Jeffrey Stanton (Demetrius); Timothy Lynch (Bottom);
"It is a fine company with an enviable reputation and some altogether excellent principal dancers: Lisa Apple's Helena and Julie Tobiason's Hermia are particularly fine, and the scene between Titania and Bottom is most affecting. The fairy scenes are imaginatively handled and staged." (The Penguin Guide)
Minkus: Don Quixote (The Royal Ballet)
Marianela Nuñez (Kitri); Carlos Acosta (Basilio); Christopher Saunders (Don Quixote Christopher Saunders); Philip Mosley (Sancho Panza ); Gary Avis (Lorenzo ); Bennet Gartside (Gamache ); Ryoichi Hirano (Espada ); Laura Morera (Mercedes );
"... when Acosta and Núñez, as the story’s sweethearts, start sparring, they manage a natural, coquettish rapport that’s quite irresistible, Acosta’s megawatt charisma balanced by Núñez’s fizzy, feisty, fan-wielding vigour. This translates seamlessly into their partner work and firecracker solos... Meanwhile, there are terrific supporting character performances from Gary Avis and Bennet Gartside, and a sharp and humorously turbo-machismo turn from Ryoichi Hirano as the toreador Espada." (Metro)
Minkus: La Bayadère (The Royal Ballet)
Tamara Rojo (Nikiya); Carlos Acosta (Solar); Marianela Nuñez (Gamzatti);
"There wasnt a single physical gesture that didnt mean something, that didnt speak of love trying and failing to blossom." (The Daily Telegraph)
Minkus: La Bayadère (The Royal Ballet)
Marianela Nuñez (Nikiya); Vadim Muntagirov (Solor); Natalia Osipova (Gamzatti); Gary Avis (The High Brahmin); Thomas Whitehead (Rajah); Alexander Campbell (The Bronze Idol); Yuhui Choe, Yasmine Naghdi, Akane Takada (Shades);
"The Royal Ballet’s revival of La Bayadère is lit up by starry casting. Two of the company’s reigning ballerinas, Marianela Nuñez and Natalia Osipova, face off as the temple dancer Nikiya and her rival, the princess Gamzatti. It makes for a night of powerful personalities and blazing dancing. The Royal Ballet dance Natalia Makarova’s production with complete conviction. High Brahmins and Rajahs put weight into the traditional mime gestures, while dancing roles are cast splendidly from strength. Ballerinas aside, La Bayadère is best known for the Shades act, one of the strictest and most beautiful tests of the corps de ballet. Their first entrance is hypnotic. Appearing one by one, performing the same steps in unison, they are like a stage full of reflections, a vision of infinity. The Royal corps were both steady and expansive, with a glowing lyricism in their swaying torsos." (Evening Standard ★★★★)
Opera & Ballet - The Blu-ray Experience
"…a dazzling evening in the company of a galaxy of stars from The Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera…an unsurpassable celebration of opera and ballet." (The Daily Telegraph)
