Coppelia [DVD] [2000]

"Scintillating" is the word which comes to mind to describe this performance of Delibes' Coppélia. Both the story and music (here presented in 2.0 Dolby stereo only, which is a shame) are among the most robust in the tradition, and here Oleg Vinogradov's choreography gives us the most extrovert depiction of an already extrovert subject. Highlights abound, but Irina Shapchits's Swanilda and Petr Rusanov's Coppelius are particularly delightful. The former is a boisterous, tomboyish interpretation, providing an additional dimension of contrast with the soullessness of Coppelius' dolls, while the latter eschews the bumbling eccentricity sometimes imposed on the role and instead depicts the dollmaker as an almost wraith-like, Mephistophelian figure. The disc carries one multi-angle option plus a DVD-ROM article by Harlow Robinson which includes a Web link to the label's home page, which is just as well given the drab, parsimonious nature of the accompanying black-and-white booklet. However, just buy this disc for the spectacular performance--you'll be glad you did. --Roger Thomas

4:3 Full Frame
DVD 5
Region 2
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Web Link

A ballet in two acts (three scenes)
Choreographed and staged by Oleg Vinogradov
Swanilda - Irina Shapchits
Franz - Mikhial Zavialov
Coppelius - Petr Rusanov
Coppelia - Elvira Trasova
Accompanied by the Marvinsky Theatre Orchestra
Conducted by Alexandre Vliumanis
Set Design by Vyacheslav Okunov