Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19262 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-07-03
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Colour, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound
• Original language: French, English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 105 minutes

Customer Reviews

First-rate traditional Giselle from La Scala
Milan's La Scala continues to spoil ballet lovers with its exploration of the great classics, with yet another excellent "Giselle", filmed live in April 2005. Released some ten years after the "Giselle" with Alessandra Ferri and Massimo Murru, the current DVD features the Bolshoi's Svetlana Zakharova, now a frequent guest with the Milanese company, as Giselle, and La Scala's own Roberto Bolle as Albrecht. (Anyone yet possessing the older film with Ferri/Murru needn't hesitate to try out this new release as the Giselles couldn't possibly be more different.)

La Scala's "Giselle" has the asset of the sound choreographic text by Yvette Chauviré (the French Giselle par excellence of the 20th century), revived by Florence Clerc, and boasts eye-catching sets and costumes recreated by Angelo Sala and Cinzia Rosselli after Alexander Benois. It is as traditional a staging as you can get, and that's exactly what this ballet needs.

Russian star Svetlana Zakharova gives a fine dramatic reading of the main character. "Giselle" was one of Zakharova's first major roles when she started out with the Kirov now almost ten years ago. She has since then performed the ballet in at least five different productions around the world. Her sophistication is balanced by femininity and vulnerability, while her dancing has now acquired such fluidity and sense of purpose that she can get away with the sky-high extensions. In the last few years Zakharova developed a rewarding partnership with dream-prince Roberto Bolle. He is a noble and passionate Albrecht, his dancing clean, his partnering reliable. On the other hand, Marta Romagna's Myrtha is something of a letdown, hardly making any impact with either her presence or the quality of her dancing. La Scala's female corps de ballet proves excellent in the 2nd Act.

David Coleman conducts the Orchestra of La Scala in this new release which has first-rate filming, image quality and sound to boast.

Svetlana Zahkarova's engagingly elegant Giselle
This new release of 'Giselle' from La Scala uses staging and costumes that seem to be similar to the ones in the older Scala DVD with Alessandra Ferri as Giselle, following the original designs created for Diaghelev's Ballet Russes. This time Svetlana Zakharova dances Giselle, Roberto Bolle dances Albrecht and Marta Romagna is Mirta, queen of the Willis. The choreography is by Jean Coralli & Jules Perrot, restaged by Yvette Chauviré, and the sequence of scenes in Act I is rather different from Petipa's version (the pas de six has become a pas de deux, there is no harvest festival, and the Duke and Bathilde arrive much earlier).

From what I can say after just a first viewing, Svetlana is every reason why this DVD is worth the purchase; she literally floats and drifts across the stage as a spirit with heart-aching elegance, and she is so engagingly lively and innocent (while passionate at the same time) as peasant girl, that she draws you into the story from her first entrance onwards. The effect of her presence transforms the always handsome dancer Roberto Bolle from an excellent partner to also a genuine character in the story, both charming and tragic. (I saw him dance Albrecht to Darcey Bussell's Giselle in Covent Garden, but I found him more engaging here). Together they give the famous ending of Act II an atmosphere that is really heart-felt and genuinely sad.
Marta Romagna is a particularly strong and dangerous Mirta, and her solos are flawless, as is to be expected. But throughout it is always Svetlana who owns the performance with her perfect and ever-engaging elegance. For those who are more familiar with this ballet, she is the reason to purchase this version, and for those who are new to 'Giselle', this is a beautiful and moving performance that certainly does the ballet justice; excellent for a first-time viewing!

Magic!
As I became a fan of Svetlana after seeing her perform in 'The Pharaoh's Daughter', seeing her perform Giselle was a must. I am so pleased I bought this DVD. Svetlana is one of the top ballerinas in the world, beautiful looking, a talented dancer who will never let you down!

I agree with the reviews below. The stunning performance by Svetlana and Roberto, the quality of the dancing of the soloists and corps de ballet, the staging, the simple and realistic decor make this version of Giselle definitely the best I have ever seen.

I was also very impressed with the costumes, mainly the 'tutus romantiques' in Act 2 with a beautiful difference. I found that their ample layers of extra fine and flimsy tulle tightly pleated emphasised the airy, light and dramatic appearance of the willis, making them look like real spirits!

This is a fantastic DVD worth watching again and again!