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Edward Watson takes the role of Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan's compelling ballet which lives out the final eight years of Rudolf's life with its relentless downward spiral of political intrigue, drugs and murder. It culminates with the suicide pact at the hunting lodge - known as Mayerling - between Rudolf and his 17-year-old mistress, Mary Vetsera (Mara Galeazzi). Filmed in high definition and recorded in true surround sound.
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''…while Mara Galeazzi as Mary Vetsera nearly stole the show with her natural conviction, exuberance and authoritative technique, the evening belonged to Watson as Rudolf, one of the most challenging male roles ever created.'' --Sunday Express
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Macmillan's ballet (1978)came to life again in this lavish production of the Royal Ballet faithful to its original creators Gillian Freeman (scenario) and Nicholas Geordiadis (costumes) exactly as in 1994, Mukhamedov in the leading role then. Now,another generation of dancers gives us somehow a different pleasure,but equally with outstanding quality.If Mukhamedov portrays a tormented, pathetic twisted character and displays a formidable russian technique (high jumps, commanding arabesques) Edward Watson excels in perversion and lust, somehow a fragile Rudolf, aided by his fair complexion and golden hair. He dances beautifully, flawlessly, throughout the three acts and in his duets with Mara Galeazzi/Vetsera,an explosion of sensuality takes place.If Mukhamedov and Durante/Vetsera are sublime in their symbiosis, dancing with their souls as they do (one can actually feel their passion and tormented love in Act 3) Watson and Galeazzi are flesh and blood in fire, Rudolf's almost dementia embracing,eating away Vetsera's will,leaving her with no choice.The other dancers are first rate, the orchestra conducted by Wordsworth, brilliant.A superb production not to be missed also due to the glitter and precision offered by the blu-ray.
This said, the 1994 Mayerling (Mukhamedov, Durante, Collier and Bussel) remains a reference given the fabulous acting .Like in a silent movie, their eyes, their faces,each little gesture are full of meaning and detail,as if the principal dancers had attended Actor's Studio.For that reason this older production should be given a 6th star.
This said, the 1994 Mayerling (Mukhamedov, Durante, Collier and Bussel) remains a reference given the fabulous acting .Like in a silent movie, their eyes, their faces,each little gesture are full of meaning and detail,as if the principal dancers had attended Actor's Studio.For that reason this older production should be given a 6th star.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
There are 2 different performances of Covent Garden's wonderful "Mayerling" now currently available on dvd. As another reviewer has commented, 'blu-ray' is the way ahead for ballet, and this new disc is technically superb in detail and colour; in terms of photography this is possibly the best film of a ballet made so far. The lighting is outstanding and sometimes the dancers look almost 3-dimensional. In this production the dresses and uniforms by Georgiadis are spectacular, and here they can be seen in all their detailed glory, they glow, (and this disc includes a short interview in the wardrobe department, explaining how costumes are maintained).
The orchestral performance here is excellent, and is superbly recorded. The music is given a slightly tauter interpretation than on the 1994 dvd of "Mayerling" (also from Opus Arte). There is greater impetus here, and for example, the Tavern Scene in Act II is more vibrant than in the earlier film. (Barry Wordsworth conducts the orchestra in both films.)
I wish I could be just as enthusiastic about the on-stage performance but, (as I see it), most aspects of the dancing are of a higher standard in the performance recorded in 1994: the earlier version has more authority and accomplishment across the board. This new film displays a generally convincing performance, with some fine moments (marvellously photographed), but it could be said that the technique and poise of the dancers was more solid 15 years ago, than it appears to be in this film. The dancers' grasp of character is also in some cases now weaker, and in "Mayerling" characterisation is of particular importance.
In Macmillan's full-length ballets there are frequent passages of mime which are extremely important to the narrative. "Mayerling" is a thriller, all the leading characters in the drama are subjected to unbearable hidden tensions which pile up until in the end, they explode. The suppressed tensions are the essential dynamic of "Mayerling", but in the present film much of the important mime is performed with less tension, less dramatic urgency, than it was in the 1994 performance, reducing the impact of the ballet as a whole.
This film of Macmillan's haunting "Mayerling" can be highly recommended from a technical point of view, but otherwise with reservations. If you enjoy really breathtaking performances of ballet on dvd, you will also want to take a look at the 1994 film of "Mayerling".
The orchestral performance here is excellent, and is superbly recorded. The music is given a slightly tauter interpretation than on the 1994 dvd of "Mayerling" (also from Opus Arte). There is greater impetus here, and for example, the Tavern Scene in Act II is more vibrant than in the earlier film. (Barry Wordsworth conducts the orchestra in both films.)
I wish I could be just as enthusiastic about the on-stage performance but, (as I see it), most aspects of the dancing are of a higher standard in the performance recorded in 1994: the earlier version has more authority and accomplishment across the board. This new film displays a generally convincing performance, with some fine moments (marvellously photographed), but it could be said that the technique and poise of the dancers was more solid 15 years ago, than it appears to be in this film. The dancers' grasp of character is also in some cases now weaker, and in "Mayerling" characterisation is of particular importance.
In Macmillan's full-length ballets there are frequent passages of mime which are extremely important to the narrative. "Mayerling" is a thriller, all the leading characters in the drama are subjected to unbearable hidden tensions which pile up until in the end, they explode. The suppressed tensions are the essential dynamic of "Mayerling", but in the present film much of the important mime is performed with less tension, less dramatic urgency, than it was in the 1994 performance, reducing the impact of the ballet as a whole.
This film of Macmillan's haunting "Mayerling" can be highly recommended from a technical point of view, but otherwise with reservations. If you enjoy really breathtaking performances of ballet on dvd, you will also want to take a look at the 1994 film of "Mayerling".
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
The Royal Ballet is my favourite ballet company and Mayerling one of my favourite ballets so here it is in all its high-def glory. I was lucky enough to see this production last year with Acosta & Rojo who were both wonderful-even my husband admitted to enjoying it-but the critics were raving about Edward Watson. Based on his wonderful performance as the tortured Crown Prince, you can see why.
Blu ray really is the only way to watch ballet as 1080p enhances the wonderful costumes and set designs. The direction by Ross McGibbon is a vast improvement on that found on the Irek Mukhamedov DVD which featured strange close-ups at some very inappropriate moments. Picture and sound quality are excellent. The extras are of Galeazzi and Watson rehearsing with Jonathan Cope and a fascinating featurette about the costumes with Lady McMillan. In short a great addition to any ballet fan's collection.
Blu ray really is the only way to watch ballet as 1080p enhances the wonderful costumes and set designs. The direction by Ross McGibbon is a vast improvement on that found on the Irek Mukhamedov DVD which featured strange close-ups at some very inappropriate moments. Picture and sound quality are excellent. The extras are of Galeazzi and Watson rehearsing with Jonathan Cope and a fascinating featurette about the costumes with Lady McMillan. In short a great addition to any ballet fan's collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mayerling
In my opinion, this is a first class performance!
All the artists are superb.The arrangement of Liszt's music is also superbly done. Read more
All the artists are superb.The arrangement of Liszt's music is also superbly done. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Bernard Akester
Watson... Not so elementary my dear....
One cannot but compare with its earlier production with a galaxy of stars that outshines this one at least at the time both were shot. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Satish Kamath
Disappointing
Have to say that this was disppointing to watch, especially compared to the version with Irek Mukhmadov. Read more
Published 14 months ago by NDL
"Mayerling"
The ballet as expected is excellent with Russell Watson looking haunted throughout.Having seen the ballet live I felt it made a good transfer to the small screen,viewers will not... Read more
Published on 15 April 2010 by Flower Girl
Over the top
Kenneth MacMillan's ballet Mayerling tells the story of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria who in 1889 took his life and that of Mary Vetsera at the Mayerling hunting lodge. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by Andrin K.
Beyond the Superlative!
The Royal Ballet are producing DVDs that set the highest standards against which everything else will be compared in the 21st century. Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by Arthur Wyatt
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