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Product Description
Respected American troupe Pacific Northwest Ballet take on equally revered choreographer George Balanchine's 1962 version of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Artistic director Francia Russell emulates Balanchine's intentions as closely as possible in this classic ballet combining Shakespeare's much-loved tale of love and magic, married to Felix Mendelssohn's energetic score.
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Sogno Di Una Notte Di Mezza Estate / A Midsummer Night's Dream
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By KazM
Format:DVD
This recording was made at a live performance in 1999 in London when The Pacific Northwest Ballet (of Seattle, USA) was on tour. It is an enjoyable version choreographed by George Balanchine. Whereas Frederick Ashton's version ("The Dream") has only one act, this version has two acts. Since Mendelssohn's incidental music is not long enough for a full-length ballet, other music by the same composer is used. Not only additions were made, but also the original music has been arranged, which may not be to everyone's taste.
The entire action of the story takes place in the first act. The dancing and acting by all the soloists are good. The role of Tatiana is danced by Patricia Barker sensitively. The humourous Puck's role is acted well. The four lovers show tenderness and humour. The children who act as fairies are charming. The second act has no narrative and is pure classical dance. It celebrates the three weddings: of Theseus to Hippolyta, of Hermia to Lysander, and of Helena to Demetrius.
If you are a purist and want to see a version which uses only the original incidental music, then "The Dream" by Ashton (danced by The American Ballet Theatre, and on the DVD issued by Arthaus Musik) will be for you. However, if you don't mind about the purity of music used, and if you like Balanchine's classical choreography, then this version under review will be very enjoyable. The picture quality is very good, and the digital sound clear.
The entire action of the story takes place in the first act. The dancing and acting by all the soloists are good. The role of Tatiana is danced by Patricia Barker sensitively. The humourous Puck's role is acted well. The four lovers show tenderness and humour. The children who act as fairies are charming. The second act has no narrative and is pure classical dance. It celebrates the three weddings: of Theseus to Hippolyta, of Hermia to Lysander, and of Helena to Demetrius.
If you are a purist and want to see a version which uses only the original incidental music, then "The Dream" by Ashton (danced by The American Ballet Theatre, and on the DVD issued by Arthaus Musik) will be for you. However, if you don't mind about the purity of music used, and if you like Balanchine's classical choreography, then this version under review will be very enjoyable. The picture quality is very good, and the digital sound clear.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the DVD so much that I had to buy the blu-ray version when it became available. The pictures especially benefit from the extra resolution, surpassing the (excellent) DVD by a good margin.
As has been said, the staging is magnificent and I was enchanted by the children in their insect costumes; it was an inspired idea to turn them all into fireflies in the finale. The different classes of dancers have deliciously coloured costumes appropriate for their characters, and their style of dance is also perfectly choreographed. Puck is impossibly frivolous and shows no sign of the effort that must have gone into the characterisation.
The audio is 16 bit PCM stereo and 5.1, and is excellent. While there is applause (and laughter) when appropriate, there is no extraeneous audience noise and very little stage noise which can sometimes be distracting. To me, the BBC Concert Orchestra sounds as if it is in a good concert hall environment rather than in an orchestral pit, and also sounds as if there are more players than can sometimes be accommodated in a pit, resulting in a smooth violin tone. I found an extra few decibels helps to lift the sound out of the front speakers in 5.1 mode. A little more mid-range presence would suit my ears, but that's a personal choice. What a pleasure it is to hear cymbals that are not being strangled by a limiter. The vocal contributions are very well integrated; all in all I wonder if the music was indeed live or skilfully added later. In any case, the whole experience is an uplifting one and a demonstration of how good blu-ray can be.
As has been said, the staging is magnificent and I was enchanted by the children in their insect costumes; it was an inspired idea to turn them all into fireflies in the finale. The different classes of dancers have deliciously coloured costumes appropriate for their characters, and their style of dance is also perfectly choreographed. Puck is impossibly frivolous and shows no sign of the effort that must have gone into the characterisation.
The audio is 16 bit PCM stereo and 5.1, and is excellent. While there is applause (and laughter) when appropriate, there is no extraeneous audience noise and very little stage noise which can sometimes be distracting. To me, the BBC Concert Orchestra sounds as if it is in a good concert hall environment rather than in an orchestral pit, and also sounds as if there are more players than can sometimes be accommodated in a pit, resulting in a smooth violin tone. I found an extra few decibels helps to lift the sound out of the front speakers in 5.1 mode. A little more mid-range presence would suit my ears, but that's a personal choice. What a pleasure it is to hear cymbals that are not being strangled by a limiter. The vocal contributions are very well integrated; all in all I wonder if the music was indeed live or skilfully added later. In any case, the whole experience is an uplifting one and a demonstration of how good blu-ray can be.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By pointone
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Blu-ray
Mendelssohn: Midsummer Nights Dream [Blu-ray] [1996]
I view this performance as an ensemble effort from a very good ballet company, and as such there are no outstanding performances, except for the Divertissement in Act 2 when the standard moves up a notch with lovely dancing from Louise Nadeau and Olivier Wevers.
However the production is something else, the set comprises a backdrop of tree trunks in silhouette to which are added additional items, example a wreath of roses in Titiania's Kingdom and columns in Act 2.
The costumes are exceptional, delicate pastels for the fairies and deep intense colours for the four lovers superbly contrasted. Oberon, Hippolyta and Theseus wear dark costumes sumptuously decorated.
Although encoded in 1080i the vibrant colours are captured superbly making the ballet an absolute joy to watch.
Cannot recommend highly enough.
I view this performance as an ensemble effort from a very good ballet company, and as such there are no outstanding performances, except for the Divertissement in Act 2 when the standard moves up a notch with lovely dancing from Louise Nadeau and Olivier Wevers.
However the production is something else, the set comprises a backdrop of tree trunks in silhouette to which are added additional items, example a wreath of roses in Titiania's Kingdom and columns in Act 2.
The costumes are exceptional, delicate pastels for the fairies and deep intense colours for the four lovers superbly contrasted. Oberon, Hippolyta and Theseus wear dark costumes sumptuously decorated.
Although encoded in 1080i the vibrant colours are captured superbly making the ballet an absolute joy to watch.
Cannot recommend highly enough.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought this for the theme, but wound up enjoying the entire...
Bought this for the theme, but wound up enjoying the entire performance.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Published 1 month ago by Richard Kinkead
5.0 out of 5 stars
spellbindingly beautiful!
full stars for the ballet! patricia barker gives a hypnotically beautiful performance! my little three-year old girl is addicted to it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by frauprofestl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally enthralling traditional ballet
In view of the many enthusiastic and detailed reviews posted by knowledgeable followers of ballet, I will focus on a review aimed at helping the non-specialist who enjoys ballet... Read more
Published 16 months ago by I. Giles
1.0 out of 5 stars
beware
I'll admit it's my own fault for buying this HD DVD without actually checking into the HD DVD format, but I wanted to warn others from potentially wasting their money like I did. Read more
Published on 20 April 2011 by Kalitrates
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Dream of a Ballet
I was enchanted from the beginning.
The beautiful musical score combined with the choreography and costumes
made a spectacular ballet.
The beautiful musical score combined with the choreography and costumes
made a spectacular ballet.
Published on 25 Aug 2010 by brijay
5.0 out of 5 stars
a dream of a ballet
i'm so glad that this beautiful version by pacific northwest is part of my ballet dvd collection,especially as the filming,lighting and costumes are so good. Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2009 by debbie loves ballet!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasure for eyes and ears
Beautiful staging; expressive dancing and acting; crystal clear sound and pictures; and if you did not adore Mendelssohn's music in the first place, you would never bother anyway! Read more
Published on 3 May 2009 by Sturgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beats Ashton's Dreamj
Balanchine produced a ballet which for once was superior to the Ashton version of bthe same subject. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2008 by Arthur Wyatt
3.0 out of 5 stars
I was in the audience!
Even though I saw this as it was being filmed, I can't really remember it
that well- I enjoyed it, but it didn't knock my socks off
that well- I enjoyed it, but it didn't knock my socks off
Published on 22 Dec 2007 by E. Coolican
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great stuff
This ballet has the story in the first half. There is great dancing, great music, Great Camera work by Ross McGibbon Close ups at correct times and distance shots all done as it... Read more
Published on 19 July 2007 by E. Hood
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