Press Release: Nureyev Box Set Released

[Jan McNulty]

NUREYEV: As Dancer, As Choreographer

 

(Warner Classics and NVC Arts)

 

Nureyev as Dancer – DON QUIXOTE

Nureyev as Choreographer –LA BAYADÈRE • ROMEO & JULIET
 

DVD and Blu-ray box set release date: 1 April, 2013

This set of three ballets isreleased on DVD and Blu-ray in celebration of the life and glittering career ofRussian dancer, Rudolf Nureyev. He achieved rock star status in the West,during which time he danced in his own extraordinary version of Don Quixote. As

a choreographer, principally for the Paris Opera Ballet, he staged many stunning productions, including these two exquisite ballets, La Bayadère and Romeo & Juliet.

 

DON QUIXOTE (Minkus, orch Lanchbery)
The Australian Ballet

 

Rudolf Nureyev's iconic 35mm film version of Don Quixote, recorded in 1972 with The Australian Ballet, has now been digitally remastered and restored to its former glory.

So elaborate was Rudolf Nureyev's vision of the Cervantes classic that his lavish film ballet ultimately required the facilities of a gigantic Australian aircraft hangar to produce. Nureyev co-directed the production as well as being the choreographer, and also starred as Basilio. The production also features Nureyev's co-director Sir Robert Helpmann as Don Quixote and Lucette Aldous as Kitri.

 

Choreographer Rudolf Nureyev
Directors Rudolf Nureyev and Robert Helpmann

Music Ludwig Minkus, arr.John Lanchbery

Performed by The State Orchestra of Victoria

Conducted by John Lanchbery

Basilio Rudolf Nureyev
Kitri Lucette Aldous

Don Quixote Robert Helpmann

Sancho Panza Ray Powell
Lorenzo Francis Croese

 

“A dance film for all audiences, an exciting, intelligently conceived spectacle. This is as much a dramatic film as a ballet film.” New York Times

 

LA BAYADÈRE (Minkus, orch Lanchbery)
Paris Opera Ballet

 

This exceptional and critically acclaimed production of La Bayadère is the fully restored version of this classic ballet, the last work choreographed for the Paris Opera Ballet by Rudolf Nureyev before his tragic death in 1993. For his interpretation, Nureyev
returned to Petipa’s original notes and Minkus’ score. The high definition recording was made in May 1994 at the Palais Garnier in Paris.

 

Exotic and mysterious India is thebackground for this story of doomed love between the warrior Solor (Laurent Hilaire) and the bayadère, Nikiya (Isabelle Guérin) who is killed byher jealous rival, Gamzatti (Elizabeth Platel). The famous team of EzioFrigerio and Franca Squarciapino designed the breathtaking sets and costumes.

 

Orchestre National de L’Opéra de Paris

Conductor Michel Quéval

TV Director Alexandre Tarta
Producer François Duplat

Sets Ezio Frigerio

Costumes Franca Squarciapino
Choreography & Staging, fully-restored Petipa version Rudolf Nureyev

Solor Laurent Hilaire

Nikiya Isabelle Guérin
Gamzatti Elizabeth Platel

 

ROMEO & JULIET (Prokofiev)
Paris Opera Ballet

 

Recorded in high definition at the Opera Bastille in Paris in 1995, Romeo and Juliet is one of the last productions choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev for Paris Opera Ballet before his death. He especially chose the cast, and this was the last time that this particular cast performed the work. This sumptuous production calls upon the full force of the company, who brilliantly portray the street fights of the feuding Capulets and Montagues and the raptures and despair that mark the young lovers’ tragedy.

Romeo Manuel Legris

Juliet Monique Loudières
Choreography Rudolf Nureyev

Staging Rudolf Nureyev

Sets Ezio Frigerio

Costumes Ezio Frigerio and Mauro Pagano

Conductor Vello Pahn

TV Director: Alexandre Tarta

Producers: François Duplat & Damien Mathieu

DVD:

Release Date: 1st April 2013

Catalogue No: 2564 66013-1 (Full Price 3 DVD)

COLOUR • REGION CODES: 2,3,4,5

 

DON QUIXOTE:  NTSC 4:3 FF • 127 MINS • 5.1 SURROUND / DOLBY 2.0 STEREO

 

LA BAYADÈRE:  PAL 4:3 • 134 MINS • L-PCM STEREO

ROMEO & JULIET: PAL 4:3 • 150 MINS • 5.1 SURROUND / DOLBY 2.0 STEREO

 

Blu-Ray:

Release Date: 1st April 2013

Catalogue No: 2564 64699-0 (Full Price 3 Blu-ray)

COLOUR • ALL REGIONS

 

DON QUIXOTE:  NTSC 4:3 FF • 127 MINS • 5.1 SURROUND / DOLBY 2.0 STEREO

LA BAYADÈRE:  NTSC 16:9 • 130 MINS • L-PCM STEREO

 

ROMEO & JULIET: NTSC 16:9 • 150 MINS • 5.1 SURROUND / DOLBY 2.0 STEREO

 

[Jan McNulty]

This looks like a great collection for fans of Rudolf Nureyev if they haven't already got these items.

[billboyd]

I've got the DonQ blu ray disc.

 

Superb dancing!  Gailene Stock (Director of the Royal Ballet School) is one of Kitri's friends - and her husband Gary Norman who teaches at the RBS leads the Fandango! - Terrific!