Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake [DVD] [2009] [NTSC]

This entire performance from Covent Garden is very recommendable, and has an outstanding interpretation of the dual role of Odette-Odile by Marianela Nunez, who gives us not simply a bravura performance of famous choreography, but two living, believable creatures of the here-and-now.

The sincerity with which Odette conveys to the Prince the loss of her freedom and imprisonment of her soul, convinces you that this is not just theatrical make-believe, and Miss Nunez achieves this by her own sincerity as an artist. She creates a superbly danced Odette of noble and touching beauty, whose sadness is very real, and moving. With Prince Siegfried, it is as if Odette unfolds into new warmth, like a flower in Spring, and she makes us feel what it means.

In Act 3, this artist presents us with a mesmerising interpretation of Odette's polar-opposite, Odile, the Black Swan. She is absolutely radiant, incandescent with dazzling allure! Miss Nunez's great gift is to make the choreography the instrument for expressing a rivetting drama: she acts and communicates through dance. This astonishing performance creates an Odile so alive, so magnetic, so cruelly enchanting, that you can't take your eyes off her, and when she leaves the stage it is as if the lights have gone down.

Anyone who thinks that Classical Ballet is archaic choreography and out-dated conventions, should take a look at this stunningly real and believable interpretation of Odette-Odile, which imprints itself on the imagination.

And there is a great deal more to enjoy in this well-filmed performance: Thiago Soares is a very realistic Prince Siegfried, and his personality fills the stage. The lavish designs are in the main, successful, the costumes outstanding, and the whole cast (apart from the rum guests at the ball!) make an engaging impression in this dramatically fresh production. Tchaikovsky's score sounds glorious in this digital recording.

Also on the disc is a memorable half-hour Discussion between four well-known interpreters of Odette-Odile: it is entertaining and enlightening -don't miss it.

This 2009 recording of Anthony Dowell's production of Swan Lake is set in the time of Imperial Russia and thus differs in period from many other productions.

The costuming and stage settings created in order to achieve this period are suitably lavish and, to my mind, sumptuously convincing. This observation is only relevant to the external and internal palace scenes of acts 1 and 3 of course. In these scenes the female corps de ballet costumes are especially pretty and flattering and the autumnal range of colours chosen for the whole corps de ballet I find very pleasing to the eye.

By contrast the lakeside scenes of acts 2 and 4 are cool and dark. The corps de ballet swans, on the other hand, wear `feathery' dress costumes rather than the commonly worn tutus. These, to my mind, enhance the femininity and grace of the dancers and seem to be very suitable as regards creating a swan-like effect. The Swan Queen, by being the only one wearing a tutu is thus emphasised in her role. All of this is, of course, a matter of taste and many would prefer to see the whole corps de ballet swans wearing tutus too.

The palace setting in act 3 returns to the sumptuous setting of the first act which I find to be completely in character within this production's concept of Imperial Russia. The dancing of the characteristic dances is of a consistently high standard and I find the different choreography to be both interesting and appropriate. The role of Odile is beguilingly danced by Nunez and it is easy to see why the prince should be deceived. The deception is spectacularly unmasked at the end of the act complete with lighting and smoke effects.

The last act once more features the corps de ballet in the same costumes as before with the exception of Odette in the traditional tutu. However, in this production, the emphasis is about her mutual love with the prince and love's power of redemption. This, to my mind, is far more satisfying than the angst-ridden Odettes of other productions where the emphasis seems to be on her personal distress rather than any mutual attraction between her and the prince as is clearly portrayed here by Nunez and Soares. I also much prefer the choreography which I believe to be Ashton's throughout the last act. All of this is a personal preference and may not be everyone's favourite approach of course.

The general pacing of the ballet is fairly fluid as conducted by Valeryi Ovsyanikov and is expertly played by the orchestra which is on top form. This is immediately apparent in the overture which has pleasing grip from the start.

There are two bonus films in the form of a 16 minute interview with the producer, Anthony Dowell and a 30 minute documentary conversation concerning the demands of dancing the role of the Swan Queen as described by three previous ballerinas and the current star, Marianela Nunez. Both of these bonuses make rewarding viewing and interesting extras.

The imaging is crisp and clear in the manner of HD definition and the camera work provides a nice balance between detailed and more panoramic views. The sound is excellent and is presented in PCM 5.1 and stereo.

If this particular approach is to your liking you, like me, will feel it to be worth 5 stars. I am aware however, that this is not everyone's favourite and other versions can be preferred. The purpose of this review has been to highlight the essential differences to be found in this production as a guide to personal choice.

In my opinion the dancing was very mediocre compared to the 2006 Kirov ... (I think Roger might have meant this version rather than the Bolshoi but if not my apologies.)

The very elaborate but beautiful sets caused confusion as did the profusion of extras that inhibited concentration on the central figures. I have many different versions of this ballet and thought that Covent Garden would have pulled out all the stops for this Blu Ray production. Something went sadly wrong.

Another minus is the darkness of everything and black tights don't go with dark backgrounds! Also the swans wear dresses not tutus and I think they are far more appropriate.

The photography lacks inspiration and imagination and as Roger Smith said Siegfried was really not up to the mark!

Altogether a very disappointing offering from Covent Garden after their truly 5*+ faultless production of Sleeping Beauty! Treat yourself to that and also the Kirov Swan Lake and I promise you won't be disappointed