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Prokofiev - Cinderella / Sibley, Dowell, Royal Ballet |
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Price (US): $26.99 |
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| Rating: |
4.0 / 5 |
| Released: |
Tuesday, May 29, 2001 |
| Rated: |
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Cinderella may be Sergei Prokofiev's most accessible ballet, both musically and visually, and in the hands of a master choreographer, it can be a thrilling experience. And so it is with this 1969 Royal Ballet performance, with then-resident genius Frederick Ashton pulling out all the stops in a staging guaranteed to please fans and win new converts. Ashton's particular ability to couch his innovative moves within a conventional framework is in evidence here. The back cover calls this "an acclaimed historic performance," and historic it certainly is. Several Royal Ballet dancers are shown in top form, including Ashton (as one of our heroine's ugly stepsisters!), Anthony Dowell as the prince, and the wonderful Antoinette Sibley as Cinderella. The production itself is filled with colorful sets and vivid costumes, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House plays Prokofiev's enchanting music under the steady baton of John Lanchberry. The video itself is simply rendered, and the unspectacular sound does the job. --Kevin Filipski
Studio: Kultur Video
Format
Classical,
Color,
DVD,
NTSC
Number of Discs: 1
Running Time: 102 minutes
Languages
English (Original Language)
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A Good, Not Great, "Cinderella"
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In this production of "Cinderella" to music by Prokofiev, choreographed by the great Frederick Ashton for Margot Fonteyn decades ago, we have the pleasure of watching Antoinette Sibley and Anthony Dowell at the peak of their abilities. Sibley offers up exquisite phrasing and musicality, making the most of her First Act "Broom Dance" and she delivers dutifully on the dreamy wistfulness required in the first act and the radiant wonder required in the second act. Ashton himself and the inimitable Robert Helpmann perform the roles of the wicked stepsisters in drag, roles they created in the original production with Margot Fonteyn. Messrs. Helpmann and Ashton also make the most of THEIR opportunities, which are wayyyyyy too long and go far to spoiling the enjoyment of the film - they gave themselves much too much clowning-time and really, although they are masterful stage creatures, one ends up impatiently waiting for Sibley and Dowell to dance again. Prokofiev's music is gorgeous, magically delicate in places and, appropriately, lacking in the more magisterial quality he built into his score for "Romeo and Juliet". It is a particular pleasure to watch the two young stars, already making a name for themselves as a team in 1969, go through their paces in the big Act II pas de deux. However, something about the entire experience is less than the sum of its parts. Beautiful to look at and perfectly if coolly danced, it charms the eyes but fails to penetrate the heart. Nevertheless, a nice record of Sibley and Dowell at the height of their powers in a traditional production, and of the stage qualities of two early 20th century legends, if a bit overbaked.
.:. Rating:
3
/ 5
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yawn.....
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I've got to say that my daughter and I were both excited for this to arrive in the mail. When it did, neither of us could sit through it. The dancing is alternately made up of the uninspired, the farcical and the same-old. Even the score is insipid. Sorry Prokofiev, but you've done better! If you aren't looking for Cinderella specifically, skip it, there are more interesting ways to spend your time. If you are, pull out old Brother's Grimm--at least that one has grotesque going for it.
.:. Rating:
2
/ 5
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Rare performance....
»
It's a pleasure to view this rare performance....the step-sisters at their best. I am not a fan of the music, but the choreography and the dancing is wonderful.
.:. Rating:
5
/ 5
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