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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Abbé Prévost, the 18th century author of Manon (Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut, published in 1731) probably never thought his heroine would be so celebrated - two ballets and four operas - and reach the 21st century. MacMillan choreographed the story aided by L.Lucas and Hilda Gaunt who assembled various pieces from Massenet music but curiously not from his opera Manon and the ballet came to light im 1974, danced by legends Anthony Dowell and Antoinette Sibley.
This DVD filmed in 2008 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, is a thrilling experience at all levels. Tamara Rojo/Manon and Carlos Acosta/Des Grieux give us a most poignant interpretation. T.Rojo contrives to portray the heroine's complex character throughout the ballet and C.Acosta is like a most gifted painter giving true life to a portrait, both dancing MacMillan's difficult steps with fabulous technique and intelligence.MacMillan is a genius exploring human nature, showing characters through his choreographies and in this case Rojo and Acosta respond in a state of absolute cumplicity.Seldom can one actually feel Manon's misery and Des Grieux's extreme pain as in the miraculously danced and interpreted Act 3, scene 3.
The other dancers, José Martín (Lescault),Laura Morera (Lescault's mistress),young and virtuoso Paul Kay(the beggar chief) dance flawlessly and with "brio", underlining brilliantly the characters of their personae.This is certainly a masterpiece and a credit for the entire company such is the level of this production, from the design to the staging. Last but not the least, Massenet's music is superiorly conducted by Martin Yates.Magnificently filmed this is a Manon not only to remember but also to watch endlessly.
But, if all in this Manon is superlative, it is not less true that prince Anthony Dowell's Des Grieux remains the reference because of his unique technique and acting.
This DVD filmed in 2008 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, is a thrilling experience at all levels. Tamara Rojo/Manon and Carlos Acosta/Des Grieux give us a most poignant interpretation. T.Rojo contrives to portray the heroine's complex character throughout the ballet and C.Acosta is like a most gifted painter giving true life to a portrait, both dancing MacMillan's difficult steps with fabulous technique and intelligence.MacMillan is a genius exploring human nature, showing characters through his choreographies and in this case Rojo and Acosta respond in a state of absolute cumplicity.Seldom can one actually feel Manon's misery and Des Grieux's extreme pain as in the miraculously danced and interpreted Act 3, scene 3.
The other dancers, José Martín (Lescault),Laura Morera (Lescault's mistress),young and virtuoso Paul Kay(the beggar chief) dance flawlessly and with "brio", underlining brilliantly the characters of their personae.This is certainly a masterpiece and a credit for the entire company such is the level of this production, from the design to the staging. Last but not the least, Massenet's music is superiorly conducted by Martin Yates.Magnificently filmed this is a Manon not only to remember but also to watch endlessly.
But, if all in this Manon is superlative, it is not less true that prince Anthony Dowell's Des Grieux remains the reference because of his unique technique and acting.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
The music on this DVD may be a dolly mixture of pieces by Jules Massenet but don't be fooled this is a marvelous score,played really well by the ROH Orchestra,this time conducted by Martin Yates on the Choreography of Kenneth MacMillan.
I need not go into the storyline,as many other people have already done that for me.
This is a tragic story,as tragic as Romeo & Juliet and once again the Royal Ballet have done us proud,Carlos Acosta is I think a very good Des Grieux this part obviously suiting his style and Jose Martin is so good as Lescaut I doubt we will see this part bettered by any other artist for quite a while.Christopher Saunders takes to his part as Monsieur GM,while Laura Morera as Lescaut's Mistress is also well danced.The Beggar Chief/Paul Kay and the old Gent/Philip Mosely are all top class and as a gaoler Thomas Whitehead struts the strut.Genasia Rosato is on top form as the Madam of a rather shady house of ill repute,but I've saved the best for last,Manon danced here be the lovely Tamara Rogo,I feel there to be no question as to who the Star is,she is sublime playing the leading role-delicate,happy,sad, forlorn,exactly what is needed and when it is needed,yet at the final curtain she comes out as a shy little kitten,wondering I think of how her part has been taken by the audience,then coming alive as the applause goes on and on.
I enjoyed Manon danced by Jennifer Penney,but I think this one to be much better,the Costumes worked really well,as did the settings and don't forget the corps de ballet,they also had an input in making this the show it is.What more can I say? not much!just go out and buy it,its a ballet to Treasure.
I need not go into the storyline,as many other people have already done that for me.
This is a tragic story,as tragic as Romeo & Juliet and once again the Royal Ballet have done us proud,Carlos Acosta is I think a very good Des Grieux this part obviously suiting his style and Jose Martin is so good as Lescaut I doubt we will see this part bettered by any other artist for quite a while.Christopher Saunders takes to his part as Monsieur GM,while Laura Morera as Lescaut's Mistress is also well danced.The Beggar Chief/Paul Kay and the old Gent/Philip Mosely are all top class and as a gaoler Thomas Whitehead struts the strut.Genasia Rosato is on top form as the Madam of a rather shady house of ill repute,but I've saved the best for last,Manon danced here be the lovely Tamara Rogo,I feel there to be no question as to who the Star is,she is sublime playing the leading role-delicate,happy,sad, forlorn,exactly what is needed and when it is needed,yet at the final curtain she comes out as a shy little kitten,wondering I think of how her part has been taken by the audience,then coming alive as the applause goes on and on.
I enjoyed Manon danced by Jennifer Penney,but I think this one to be much better,the Costumes worked really well,as did the settings and don't forget the corps de ballet,they also had an input in making this the show it is.What more can I say? not much!just go out and buy it,its a ballet to Treasure.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Surely the definitive version, at least unless the original cast (for whom the piece was created) are available! In my view, this is MacMillan's masterpiece, the choreography moving the story along, revealing character and mood like a novel.
Rojo and Acosta take us convincingly and memorably through the changes that their characters experience, as the two young lovers use and corupt each other, pushed along by Manon's horrible brother, danced with great verve by Jose Martin. As always with the Royal Ballet, a team of experienced performers make the supporting roles come to life: I found Christopher Saunders as the lustful and then vengeful sugar daddy, Monsieur G. M., particularly convincing. And Thomas Whitehead as the corrupt and brutal goaler,and the comically drunken de deux danced by Martin and Morera: the list goes on and on. All this action builds slowly and inexorably to the stunningly emotional finale, the death of Manon, when Acosta and Rojo demonstrate just why they are so highly regarded, both technically and dramatically.
There is also a documentary about dancing Manon, with rehearsal footage and interviews with the two principles and Monica Mason, who was in the original production.
I recommend this to anyone who likes ballet: my only proviso would be that the material is not suitable for children
Rojo and Acosta take us convincingly and memorably through the changes that their characters experience, as the two young lovers use and corupt each other, pushed along by Manon's horrible brother, danced with great verve by Jose Martin. As always with the Royal Ballet, a team of experienced performers make the supporting roles come to life: I found Christopher Saunders as the lustful and then vengeful sugar daddy, Monsieur G. M., particularly convincing. And Thomas Whitehead as the corrupt and brutal goaler,and the comically drunken de deux danced by Martin and Morera: the list goes on and on. All this action builds slowly and inexorably to the stunningly emotional finale, the death of Manon, when Acosta and Rojo demonstrate just why they are so highly regarded, both technically and dramatically.
There is also a documentary about dancing Manon, with rehearsal footage and interviews with the two principles and Monica Mason, who was in the original production.
I recommend this to anyone who likes ballet: my only proviso would be that the material is not suitable for children
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Frustrating for what it could have been...
If you are waiting for a blu ray release of this ballet, I would advise that this is unlikely to happen. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. T. Abbott
Sad story but beautifully told...
I wholeheartedly agree with the other reviews. This is a ballet to treasure.
If you don't like the bad endings this is not for you for obvious reasons. Read more
If you don't like the bad endings this is not for you for obvious reasons. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Oyarsa
Floods of tears MacMillian and Massenet
Could not wait for the bluray. I just break out in floods of tears when I watch this so words such as fantastic do not do this proper justice! Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2010 by Arthur Wyatt
Excellent, but WARNING don't buy off Amazon as it only sells Region 2...
A wonderful production with Rojo and Acosta at their best. Beautiful choreography, music, costumes etc. The Royal Ballet at it's wonderful best. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2010 by E. Stewart
Fantastic!
Long awaited release in the UK - wonderful production, look out for Tamara and Carlos but also a wonderful performance by Tom Whitehead as the Gaoler. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by J. Sheer
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