The Bolshoi Ballet Company in the Ultimate Swan Lake, Filmed Live at the Bolshoi Theatre, Starring Natalia Bessmertnova and Alexander Bogatyrev
Classic ballet at its best! Video
This performance offers a fine view of the liquid, lyric style of the Bolshoi Corps. Anna Kisselgoff
Bessmertnova dances ravishingly and the camera work is beyond reproach. Ballet News
This Swan Lake performs the most difficult promenades, leaps and pirouettes with commanding ease and poise. Dance Magazine
The aristocratic beauty of the Bolshoi makes The Ultimate Swan Lake alive with ennobling presence and artistry. Natalia Bessmertnova is soft and lyrical in the dual role of Odette and Odile; her eminently feminine quality makes her the ideal interpreter of this classic. The elegance and magnetism of Siegfried is masterfully created by Alexander Bogatyrev. The Ultimate Swan Lake is an exquisitely designed, opulently mounted production unlike any other. Choreographed by the critically acclaimed Yuri Grigorvich, with the Moscow Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Algis Zhuraitis. Gene Kelly host-narrates this production, which is The Ultimate ballet treasure on video.
Cast
Natalia Bessmertnova: Odette/Odile
Alexander Bogatyrev: Prince Siegfried
Boris Akimov: Von Rothbart
Choreographed, Written and Staging & Choreography by Yuri Grigorovich
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra
Under the baton of Algis Zhuraitis
Swan Lake was Tchaikovsky's first ballet score and had its premiere on January 27, 1895.
Act I:
The Palace Gardens-
During Prince Siegfrieds s 21st birthday party, his mother announces that it's time for the Prince to marry. The Prince is aghast and depressed; his friends suggest a hunt of the swans.
Lakeside-
The Prince meets Odette, Queen Of the Swans, who is under a spell of the evil Von Rothbart. It can only be lifted if a man swears to love her and be faithful. Only then can she appear always as a woman. The Prince swears to love Odette. Von Rothbart appears and the Prince takes aim, only to be saved by Odette who knows that Von Rothbart must live if the spell is to be broken. The Swan maidens dance their celebrated waltz and dawn breaks as the maidens return to their swan identities.
Act II:
The Palace Ballroom-
The Prince Mother presents six potential brides. Von Rothbart (in human guise) and his daughter Odile arrive (she having been made by her father to look like Odette). The real Odette appears at the castle window and watches as the Prince, now under Von Rothbart s spell, swears to marry Odile. Von Rothbart then reveals his and Odile's true identities and Siegfried dashes off to find Odette.
Act III:
Lakeside-
Odette believes Siegfried has broken his vow and determines to kill herself. The Prince begs forgiveness which she grants, but says she must die. Von Rothbart attempts to drive the Prince away and keep Odette for himself. Odette flings herself into the lake and is followed by Siegfried. Von Rothbart dies, mortally wounded by his act of love. The swan maidens watch as Odette and Siegfried journey on to everlasting happiness.
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