Customer Reviews

Cesare Pugni - La Fille du Pharaon (The Pharoah's Daughter) / Zakharova, Filin, Alexandrova, Yanin, Lacotte, Bolshoi Ballet

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally, this DVD became available at AMAZON, just before the Bolshoi's US tour in July. Filmed on 31st, October 2003 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, with dream cast: Serguei Filin, Svetlena Zakharova, Maria Alexandrova. The Pharoah's daughter was the first full-length ballet Petipa created in St Petersburg, in 1862, seven years earlier than his DQ. But unlike most of his work, such as DQ, la Bayadere, which are still performed in Russia and many other countries nowadays, Pharaoh's daughter was last seen at Moscow in 1928. Nureyev had an idea of restage this Petipa's classic for Paris Opera Ballet, but his early death ended his dream. In 1999, Vasiliev, the director of Bolshoi ballet at that time, commissioned Pierre Lacotte this project, re-construct this ballet for Bolshoi ballet. In this DVD, there is a 13 min documentary film and a 16 min interview with Pierre Lacotte. What I have is the European Pal version DVD. It contains a 32 page illustrated booklet in different languages. I guess this NTSC version will do the same, at least including English booklet that is enough for most of us. So lucky! this disc was not released by KULTUR, who never accompany its DVD with any readable booklet.

Story is a little bit simple. An English man, Lord Wilson, traveled in Egypt, while taking shelter in the Pyramid, he smoked opium, which made him into the dream world. He met and fell in love with Pharaoh's daughter, Aspicia. After adventure and adventure, united with his love before weak up. If you've watched Paris Opera Ballet's Paquita and La Sylphide, which are reconstructed by Pierre Lacotte as well, you will find the choreography is similar in some way. The dancing are so brilliant and disciplined, both principal dancers and corps. Zakharova's fouette is probably the most beautiful Russian fouette I've ever seen. The male part has lots of tour en air and beating (six), very physical demanding. I think the male variations are mainly Pierre's own choreography, since it is beyond the male technique level of 19 century. Let's go back to Petipa, all his original full length ballets have a vision scene, so this one wouldn't miss. It is in Act II, kingdom of river Nile. In fact, the entire ballet seems to be a larger vision.

This is one of the few great performances in recent years released on DVD. I used to have negative view toward Bolshoi ballet more or less because all my impression of this company is from the video series Bolshoi at the Bolshoi, made in 1989-90. Some dances, especially male part, are not so elegant in those old films. But this Pharaoh's daughter is definitely different. The whole company almost reaches Paris opera ballet's level. In the interview, Pierre mentioned he wished to restore the classical Petipa style to Bolshoi ballet by restage Pharaoh's daughter. He's done it. Bravo!

No hesitation! This DVD is a must have by all the ballet fans. Terrific dancing, beautiful costume. You can hear some of Drigo's insertion for other ballets, i.e. Esmeralda, Talisman male variation.

You might be interested in the following link: ballet.co's interview with Pierre Lacotte in 1999 regarding to this production and website of Kirov trained superstar Svetlana Zhakharova.

http://www.ballet.co.uk/magazines/yr_00/aug00/interview_pierre_lacotte.htm

http://www.svetlana-zakharova.com

This is one exhilarating ballet! It is packed with choreography of gorgeous, aggressive, and brilliant intensity. Lacotte has attempted to reconstruct this ballet from first hand accounts of dancers who actually remembered when they had danced it long ago, before it fell into obscurity. But he did much more than reconstruct it--he modernized it to reflect the contemporary intensity of classical ballet technique and modern staging techniques. There are an enormous number of solo petit and grand allegri, as well as other types of dances. Lacotte's use of the corps de ballet is wonderful, with a masterful use of angle and space. The costumes are also very well done, and it is amusing to see some ballerinas dancing in Egyptian pencil skirts--not an easy feat!

There is a definite comic undertone to this ballet, including, in fact, some comic solos. If that is not enough to establish the comic mood, there is also a Spanish dance, accompanied by castanets! I'm still trying to figure that one out, but I loved it.

There is one very serious aspect to this ballet, and that is the whole concept of having such a dream in the first place. What does this dream of intense love of someone never encountered in reality mean? Was it really only a dream, or was it beyond that? Could a dream include an entire lifetime of experience? And finally, we are left wondering why doesn't love transcend the confines of the dream? Perhaps I have an overactive imagination and am an incurable romantic, but I felt these issues strongly.

I enjoyed watching this dvd many times over. The intensity always captures my attention. The musical score by Cesare Pugni is also enchanting and romantic, and never fails to inspire.

The dancing itself is of the highest standard, and the acting is very convincing and charming. Zakharova is so sweet and endearing in the use of her mime. I especially loved the way she told her father that she was almost murdered.

The image and sound are at the highest quality level, and the inclusion of half an hour of interviews and rehearsal clips makes this a real keeper!

Sound and image quality of this DVD are excellent.

The ballet was unknown to us. We bought it after reading the reviews on Amazon. We are delighted as the dancing by S Zakharova and her partner Filin is superb while set and costumes are magnificent.

Highly recommended

This has got to be the best ballet DVD I've ever seen. Sound, image quality, costuming, sets, lighting, dancing, musicality, expression...all are as good as it gets. Svetlana Zakharova is a brilliant choice for Aspicia. She has an almost unearthly degree of extension and control in her movements, yet always retains the graceful fluidity to make it look effortless and never loses the human quality of a young woman in love. Her perfomance in the wedding pas de deux is breathtaking! Sergei Filin is powerful as Taor, and easily conveys his sense of wonder at the strange ancient world he's fallen into. He has incredible ballon and brilliant entrechats (he doesn't cheat them like many dancers do when they start to get tired). And on a shallow note, both Zakharova and Filin are physically beautiful to watch. I was also tremendously impressed by Maria Alexandrova as Ramze; her chaine turns in the pas d'action and the degree of lightness she has to her extensions are impeccable. The Three Rivers soloists also each gave standout performances.

The behind-the-scenes bonus feature was a nice treat. Not too many ballet DVDs have bonus features at all, so it's a lovely inclusion when they do. Nice montages of the dancers in rehearsals or waiting in the wings to go on stage; gave the performance a more intimate feel (which you'll realize is quite a feat in itself considering how massive the stage sets are). It was also interesting to hear just how Pierre Lacotte developed the idea to restage this ballet. My only complaint (if such it can be called) is that I would like to have heard from the dancers themselves, rather than just a couple sentences about the two stars from Lacotte. But the lack of this certainly didn't detract from the DVD as a whole.

If you're trying to decide which of a few handful of ballet DVDs to purchase, I'd definitely recommend buying this one. I'm sorry I kept it in the "Saved for Later" section of my shopping cart for so long!

I tend to buy only full length ballets that I've seen before, so this was a leap of faith made by the terrific reviews. They were correct. If you love ballet, this should be in your collection.
Loretta Collins

Marius Petipa, one of the greatest ballet choreographers of the century, met his first success with the ballet The Pharaoh's daughter. Did everything to please the public romantismo.Lugar exotic (Ancient Egypt), impressive figures, scenes of large groups, pantomimes, pas de deux and solos at will. Smash everything that was in that ballet fell in love the wagon.

Choreographer Pierre Lacote accepted the mission to rebuild the daughter of Pharaoh, ballet has been lost in the twentieth century. Music Cesare Pugni there is a reduction for piano, already the choreography was more complicated. The focus was on the memories of dancers who danced the ballet in the first decades of the twentieth century and used his creativity in several parts.
The ballet The Pharaoh's Daughter has 204 shows between 1864 to 1904 on stage in Czarist Russia. These figures attest to its popularity. But for reasons unknown and unexplained, it fell into oblivion. His last appearance was in the distant year of 1926.
The choreography Lacote follows the tradition of the great Russian ballets. Keep the spirit and style of Petipa. Variations and soils of difficulty attached to numbers with group scenes. All this aims to show the technical mastery of the dancers. Technique not only excites and Lacote know it. His dance is smooth and balanced. Alterna moments of lightness with strength, thrilling the viewer. The numbers follow the tradition of the nineteenth century, Lacote not invent fashion, runs away from the modern choreography. He knows he is facing a romantic ballet and fits him. Your work is brilliant, riding a century ballet in his face the date of his debut. Everything is great: scenarios, number of dancers and colors. Make a single concession reduces the time the ballet of four for just over two hours.
The scenery is magnificent, convey the mood and magic of ancient Egypt. His golden colors fit with the smooth sands of the Sahara desert. Remember the tales of Thousand and One Nights. The costumes are stunning in beauty, adapt to the libretto. The lighting is correct, but sometimes static: it could be better worked, helping the progress of the plot.
Svetlana Zakharova is the first dancer of the Bolshoi and one of the big news. It has all the requirements for it. Technique, charisma, safe steps, trust. But its beauty is highlighted, makes grown men drool and women die of envy. Dance lightly, floating in slow steps, defies the laws of gravity in the pas de deux.
The dancer Sergei Filin in the tradition of the Russian school. Pure strength, high heels. Leads Zakharova in pas de deux with refined technique. But he lacks the charisma of a Roberto Bolle or Russian Korsuntsev of Kirov.
The corps de ballet is exceptional, the great dance steps simultaneously tuned to near perfection. Standard Bolshoi quality.
Daughter of Pharaoh is a grand ballet in all directions, and do not understand why he left the repertoire of the great Russian opera. His music and choreography in love, this re-recorded in 2003 comes in handy.

Portuguese:

Marius Petipa, um dos maiores coreografos de balé do século XIX, conheceu seu primeiro sucesso com o balé A filha do Faraó. Fez tudo para agradar o público do romantismo.Lugar exótico (Egito Antigo) , números grandiosos, grandes cenas de grupos, pantomimas, pas de deux e solos à vontade. Sucesso estrondoso, tudo que estava nesse balé caiu no gosto da galera.

O coreógrafo Pierre Lacote aceitou a missão de reconstruir A Filha do Faraó, balé que se perdeu no século XX. Da música de Cesare Pugni existe uma redução para piano; já a coreografia foi mais complicada. Ateve-se a lembranças de bailarinas que dançaram o balé nas primeiras décadas do século XX e usou sua criatividade em diversas partes.
O balé A Filha do Faraó teve 204 apresentações entre 1864 até 1904 nos palcos da Rússia Czarista. Esses números atestam sua popularidade. Mas, por motivos desconhecidos e inexplicáveis, ele caiu no esquecimento. Sua última apresentação ocorreu no longínquo ano de 1926.
A coreografia de Lacote segue a tradição dos grandes balés russos. Mantém o espírito e o estílo de Petipa. Variações e solos de grande dificuldade unidos a números com cenas de grupo. Tudo isso visa mostrar a maestria técnica dos bailarinos. Técnica somente não emociona e Lacote sabe disso. Sua dança é harmoniosa e equilibrada. Alterna momentos de leveza com força, emocionando o espectador. Os números seguem a tradição do século XIX, Lacote não inventa moda, foge das coreografias modernas. Sabe que está diante de um balé romântico e se adequa a ele. Seu trabalho é brilhante, monta um balé no século XXI com a cara da data de sua estréia. Tudo é grandioso: cenários, número de bailarinos e cores. Faz uma única concessão: reduz o tempo do balé de quatro para pouco mais de duas horas.
Os cenários são grandiosos, transmitem o clima e a magia do Egito antigo. Suas cores douradas se encaixam com a fluidez das areias do deserto do Saara. Lembram os contos das Mil e Uma Noites. Os figurinos são estonteantes na beleza, adaptam-se ao libreto. A iluminação é correta, mas às vezes estática: poderia ser melhor trabalhada, auxiliando o desenrolar da trama.
Svetlana Zakharova é a primeira bailarina do Bolshoi e uma das grandes da atualidade. Tem todos os requisitos para isso. Técnica apurada, carisma, passos seguros, confiança. Mas sua beleza é destaque, faz os marmanjos babarem e as mulheres morrerem de inveja. Dança com leveza, flutua nos passos lentos, desafia as leis da gravidade nos pas de deux.
O bailarino Sergei Filin segue a tradição da escola russa. Pura força, saltos altos. Conduz Zakharova nos pas de deux com técnica refinada. Mas lhe falta o carisma de um Roberto Bolle ou do russo Korsuntsev, do Kirov.
O corpo de baile é excepcional, dança os grandes passos simultâneos com sintonia que beira a perfeição. Padrão Bolshoi de qualidade.
A Filha do Faraó é um balé grandioso em todos os sentidos, e não entendo porque ele saiu do repertório dos grandes teatros russos. Sua música e coreografia apaixonam, essa recriação gravada em 2003 vem em boa hora.
Ali Hassan Ayache

This is one of the best ballet ive seen,Pugni's musical score is truly magnificent! And im very happy to know that Zakharova, Alexandrova and Filin are group together in this wonderful and spectacular production!

This is the reconstruction of a ballet by Marius Petipa, but most of the material has been choreographed by Pierre Lacotte for the Bolshoi Ballet.
The stage design and the costumes are spectacular, whereas the story itself doesn't really matter that much.
The Orient had become fashionable by the time Petipa created this ballet in 1862. Egypt was already a tourist destination for wealthy and adventurous Europeans who documented the sites and made the first photographs, thus contributing to the new science of "Egyptology". One such (amateur) archaeologist is the protagonist, Lord Wilson. Mummies at the time would not only be brought to Europe to be presented in exhibitions, but sometimes they were even "unwrapped" in public, and orientalisms were popular decorative elements.
Lots of clichés about Egypt are being quoted in this ballet: we see pyramids and mummies, slaves, vipers and an orangutan (!), whereas the characters are not really fleshed out. "La Fille du Pharaon" simply takes advantage of the oriental ambience as background for a (well made) piece of imperial kitsch.
I liked the period style of the dances for the corps de ballet in the Nile scenes, and their costumes. The women wear elaborately designed knee-length tutus and jewellery which makes them look old fashioned in an interesting way as they remind you of photographs of late 19th century ballerinas like Olga Preobrajenska and Mathilde Kschessinskaya who both danced in "La Fille du Pharaon".
One of the reasons why this ballet has not been performed for so long could be the music by Cesare Pugni, which sounds like third-rate Rossini - it is trivial and repetitive in its structure, tempo and metre remain inflexible and there is little atmosphere. It is the sort of random generic music that could provide the background for almost any other ballet of the time. This DVD I think is interesting mainly for two groups of people:
1) fans of Svetlana Zakharova, the Bolshoi and lovers of spectacularly glamorous ballerinas
2) ballet archaeologists
All in all, it was fun to watch. Even the thinnest of stories can be saved by the Bolshoi Ballet.

The Pharoah's Daughter is Pierre Lacotte's reconstruction of a "lost" Petipa ballet. We have no idea what Petia's 1862 original was like, but Lacotte's reconstruction suggests that it wasn't a particularly great ballet. There's even less of a storyline as usual: an explorer Lord Wilson (Sergei Filin) goes to Egypt and dreams of becoming an Egyptian soldier falling in love with the Pharoah's Daughter Aspicia (Svetlana Zakharova). Think Aida meets Lewis and Clark. Oh, and it's all a dream. What the ballet lacks in storyline it compensates with spectacle: there are rather impressive-looking drops of Egyptian temples, a poiseonous snake, a chimpanzee, the obligatory vision scene, and I counted 5 costume changes for Aspicia but there could have been more. Cesare Pugni's score is always listenable but also absolutely forgettable -- the tunes after awhile all sort of sound the same. This is not the kind of ballet where you hear a certain note and you think "Oh, Giselle's developpe begins."

The dancers are the Bolshoi Ballet, and they look slightly less muscular but also cleaner than the Bolshoi of the 1960s and 70s. The corps in particular is at least in this video very uniform and clean. The main reason to get this dvd is to see Svetlana Zakharova as Aspicia. Zakharova defected from the Kirov to the Bolshoi in 2003. I've seen her in person as Nikya, where she was wonderful. On the one hand, I admire Zakharova's beautiful jumps, her extreme extensions, and her long-limbed, movie-star beauty. But as a ballerina I find her to be on the cold side, and she's not one of those ballerinas who can instantly create a character the minute she steps onstage. Not that Aspicia is much of a character anyway. I look forward to seeing Zakharova's Swan Lake, set to released later this year. Perhaps with a role that isn't so much of a cipher, Zakharova will be more affecting emotionally.
So in sum, this is a good production of a ho-hum ballet. It's fun and undemanding and a must for fans of Svetlana Zakharova, but I honestly couldn't imagine watching and rewatching it.

Give them their due the Bolshoi certainly knows how to put it out there. Superb dancing especially the Palace act is breathtaking, fantastic music score and a set to marvel at. Bravo Bolshoi !