Customer Reviews

Don Quixote

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

 

 

There are very few artistic accomplishments in the 20th Century to compare to the creation of the Cuban National Ballet from its beginnings to one of greatest ballet companies in the world. In Cuba, ballet is almost as popular as the national sport(baseball, followed by boxing and soccer), a situation not easily found anywhere else. All this is due to the tireless efforts of Alicia Alonso and her friends.
This performance of Don Quixote is one of the best available on DVD. It is also the first DVD we have of the Cuban National Ballet in the 21st Century. We have many examples of Cuban ballet stars dancing with other companies, like the ABT and the Royal Ballet, but not the entire company. The ballet world can only wonder where the Cuban magic comes from. Perhaps it is something in the water!
This performance, done in Paris in 2007, has fantastic choreography, artistry and technique. The costumes and sets are also beautiful. The camerawork, sound, and image are all up to the highest standards. The only thing it lacks, is the presence of the Orchestra of the Great Theatre of Havana. They recorded the music before they left for Paris. They used this pre-recorded music for the performance. Obviously, this was done to save money, since dragging the entire orchestra with them would have probably cost more than the expense for the rest of the entire ballet! The Cuban National Ballet is not exactly flush with cash. We should be glad we can see them at all.
The version of DonQ as performed here was especially created by Alicia Alonso and is a very convincing version, indeed. Choreographically modern and stimulating, it is perhaps also more faithful to the story as conceived by Cervantes. A great bonus feature is included which includes extensive interviews(in Spanish with English or French subtitles) with Alicia Alonso and the principal dancers. A wide variety of interesting topics are discussed, such as the formation of the Cuban ballet, and the basic philosophy that is part of their art and technique. Scenes of rehearsals of this and other performances are also shown. Lovers of classical ballet should try to add this to their collection. For further exploration into Cuban ballet, you might consider reading the recent biography of Carlos Acosta, "No Way Home...", as well as the biographies of Alicia Alonso.

Last night we saw the complete Ballet in wide screen and color. It was shot in Paris where the company was on tour. As an extra there was an interview - primarily with Alicia Alonso - and some clips of her dancing earlier in her life. And the performance of the Cuban Ballet is great! 6 stars were it possible.

This may be interesting to people compiling a history of dance, but I was disappointed in the old black and white poor quality film, the sets and camerawork. It was an expensive lesson.