Customer Reviews

Chopin: La Dame Aux Camelias [DVD] [2009] [NTSC]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having purchased the DVD of the 1978 Stuttgart production featuring Marcia Haydee last year, I immediately fell in love with this beautiful dance drama set to Chopin's ravishing music. Sadly, however, I think Haydee was past her best when the DVD was recorded and her dancing left much to be desired. I was thrilled therefore when I discovered the 2008 Paris Opera version on the Amazon website. If I could give this production ten stars I would do so without hesitation. Everything about it is perfect. Agnes Letestu absolutely shines in the role of Marguerite, not only is she a superb dancer but is an excellent actress as well, effortlessly conveying the joy, sadness and desperation of the doomed courtesan. Stephane Bullion as Armand is superb as are the supporting dancers. I cannot find fault anywhere. The sets are simple but effective heightening the drama of this poignant tale. The costumes are beautiful. The sound and picture are absolutely outstanding but then I have come to expect no less from Opus Arte, would that some of the other recording companies could achieve such a high standard. I cannot recommend this DVD highly enough, as stated at the start of this review, if I could give it ten stars, I would do so without hesitation.

In July 2008 I was fortuinate to be able to see this ballet live at the Operas Garnier in Paris, performed by the cast that features on this DVD. At the time it was being filmed, so I waited with anticipation for the release of this DVD.

I was delighted with the results, and would recommend it to ballet lovers everywhere.

The story is well known, of Marguerite Gautier the Parisien Courtisan. Of urequited love, tragedy and life in Paris society during the mid 1800's.

The famous Choreographer John Neumeier, uses the story of Manon Lescant, another tragic young woman, to portray the deep inner feelings of the characters, to tell the story. He explans fully his motives in the second disc which includes a very interesting documentary.

This is a lavish, beautifully choreographed version with equisite costumes, wonderful music by Chopin, played by the Paris Opera Orchestra and two excellent pianist's.

The dancers Stephane Buillion and Agnes Letestu, two of the top stars of the company, make a perfect partnership, living their parts in unison, both technically brilliant, and sharing the emotion of the ballet as if it is real.

The supporting cast are also very convincing, and play their parts well, even the corp de ballet, execute the variations with great skill, which makes La Dameaux Camelias a wonderful production to watch. But be warned if you are sentimental be prepared to need a tissue to wipe your eyes.

I have a vast collection of Ballet DVDs, but this one is absolutely superb. I cannot praise it too highly and agree with the previous two reviews. I have watched it probably 30 times......yes, it is THAT good and in spite of the sadness of the story.........I just become so involved with the dancers, especially Agnes Letestu and the gorgeous Stephane Bullion.........they bring it all alive, for me.

this video is probably the best ballet video I have ever seen.
The choreography of the ballet by John Neuemier is elegant, full of emotions and amazingly interpreted by two beautiful dancers from the Paris opera ballet. ALong with Chopin's melodious and romantic vibes, and beautiful and refined costumes, this is definitely a must have if you LOVE romantic classical ballet at its best!

Acclaimed John Neumeier created this ballet (premiered in November 1978)for the Stuttgarter Ballet and his friend Marcia Haydée who danced the first Margerite. He followed Dumas'novel closely and chose Chopin's music as score to his choreography (one of the two composers suggested by conductor Gerhard Markson - either Chopin or Berlioz, or both). In fact, Chopin's music proved to be essential to the drama, the polish composer having been a contemporary of Dumas Fils and Marie(Alphonsine)Duplessis whose real three-year love affair the writer himself immortalised first in a novel(1848)and later in a play (1852).Curiously, Chopin had also died of tuberculosis, like Marie - Marguerite Gautier in the novel.Chopin's exalted music thus underlines truthfully the whole ballet contributing to its great romantic dimention.Neumeier chose to paralell the story of Armand and Marguerite to Abbé's Des Grieux and Manon whose passion also meets death in the end.The ominous performance of Manon Lescault in the theater where they first meet will follow their own destinies,Neumeir ingeniously creating a drama within a drama.
Étoiles José Martinez and Delphine Moussin are Des Grieux and Manon:they dance beautifully, bestowing their solid technique as well as Dorothée Gilbert(Prudence Duvernoy) and Karl Paquette(Gaston Rieux).A chance to watch again Michaël Denard(a retired étoile who dances, along with Nureyev and Thesmar,Lacotte's Marco Spada - Rome,1982 - on a DVD released last year)playing Armand Duval's father.
What about Marguerite er Armand? In fact, in my humble opinion, Agnès Letestu is undoubtedly unforgettable as a dancer and as an actress.Her beauty and her superior technique have the companionship of her acting which overwhelms you.If the close-up reveals not a 23 year-old Marguerite but a mature woman, on the other side it gives the viewer the chance to feel Letestu's immense, pathetic sadness (Marguerite knows death is approaching), her eyes filled with passion and despair, each gesture crying out her misery.Stéphane Bouillon(certainly a future étoile) offers a passionate Armand, executing Neumeier's difficult steps with brilliance,responding accurately to Letestu's chemistry.A special reference to the pianists(F.Vaysse-Knitter and E.Strosser)who play Chopin's music warmly.The costumes are superb(Jürgen Rose), Schmidtsdorf's conducting excellent.Absolutely not to loose.