Customer Reviews

Romeo & Juliet A Love Story In Dance

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I love this book, the whole idea of it - from the wonderful photographs to the amazing ballet dancers. I have looked at it many times and every time at a different level. First, the photos and the wonderful shots of Verona, second for the ballet dancers and then third for the writing. When books seem to be priced into the stratosphere, this little gem is a bargain and a great gift for the holidays for young and old.

I have been a ballet dancer all my life and I feel Nancy Ellison's book is a tribute to all dancers. This book truly captures and celebrates the beauty and essence of the art of ballet. I envy Paloma's talent and with this book it's not hard to see why. The photos show her graceful pirouttes and impressive turnouts. The scenery is breathtaking, but what is more captivating is the way Ms. Ellison managed to capture the dancers' attitude in the photos. With every dancer's leap, you can really feel the movement of dance. It's almost as if the dancers are about to jump off the pages. This book is stunning and delightful for all.

This book is so beautiful and I am so fortunate to have found a copy of it! Ms. Ellison has captured the true feelings of Romeo and Juliet with her pictures! From the very tips of the dancers fingers to their eyelashes you truly believe that they ARE Romeo and Juliet, from their first meeting to the scene in the tomb. By the time you finish reading you are completely swept away to a world where true love is so beautiful and so inviting, you cry. Ms. Herrera and Mr. Corella are two of my favorite dancers and they fit the part perfectly! Ms. Ellison used the natural light given to illuminate the dancers and give an extra sense of feeling to the story. To everyone who buys this book take it to your heart and believe that anything is possible.

I was given this book as a gift and set it on the coffee table. A few days later I picked it up, in an afternoon, and was transported to another place, another time. Ellison seems to have staged the Romeo & Juliet ballet in real locations in the city of Verona and captured in still photography the beauty of the two ballet dancers' movements. The accompanying simple text and Shakespeare quotes make it the perfect gift for anyone who loves ballet or, for a child, who is just being introduced to ballet for the first time.

This is one of the most visually stunning books I have ever seen. Two principal dancers from American Ballet Theatre--Angel Corella and Paloma Herrera--are photographed playing the roles of Romeo and Juliet in the actual piazzas and palazzos of Verona, Italy. This book was published in 1998, when Paloma and Angel were in their early 20s (they're still dancing with the company today). They look so young and in love! If you're a dance/ballet lover like me, this book is an absolute must. And even if don't know much about dance but enjoy a good love story, please don't hesitate to purchase a copy of this book. It will transport you to another world and give you endless hours of pleasure. This is one book you will want to display on your coffee table forever.

Long ago, at the beginning of my dance career (age 4), I received a copy of "The Royal Book of Ballet" with Tasha Tudor's exquisite illustrations of the classical repertoire. But Macmillan had barely choreographed R&J when it was released, and so it wasn't included in that book. Now Nancy Ellison's beautiful book repairs that omission.

The immediacy of photos, versus a painting, is further enhanced by placing the dancers in natural realistic settings; in this case, Verona itself. "Day for Night" technique (always noticeable in films) is used to exquisite effect in the Balcony scene. And elsewhere, the use of natural light (or very subtle lighting)throughout, only serves to make the dance even more real. For that is the intent of this book: To take an "ephemeral art" and translate it into a realistic depiction of events, thereby communicating that ballet too can tell the story. The inclusion and juxtaposition of the pertinent excerpts from Shakespeare's play, only serves to show how perfectly the dancers and choreography illustrate the language.

And what dancers! Both Angel Corella and Paloma Herrera were not much older than the characters they depicted when this was shot. Romeo has become a signature role for Corella; a perfect allignment of looks, temperament, and technique. And though his acting abilities are a little more apparent here than Paloma's, she too acquits herself well through beautiful technique and appropriate youth.

This is an inspired book and Ms. Ellison should receive all commendations for beautifully capturing the abilities of Macmillan's choreograpy, Angel Corella, and Paloma Herrera to interpret and illustrate a timeless story.

My only caveat is that some of the "bedroom scene" choreography was displaced to the "balcony scene" in some of the photos. And beware of price gouging: I have seen prices for this book fluctuate by $30, and condition not match that overpricing.

Fans of American Ballet Theatre will want to know about the new book ROMEO & JULIET: The Love Story in Dance. The photographer Nancy Ellison had the inspired idea of giving us in a picture book a photo narrative of the Romeo and Juliet story in Verona where it originally took place. The Romeo and Juliet are Angel Corella and Paloma Herrera who have appreared in the Macmillan Ballet about the tragic lovers. The photos are accompanied by Shakespeare's words. I never imagined it would be possible to find in Verona a balcony like Juliet's and other places that in these marvelous photographs frame the action of the tragedy. Looking at the great Staircase of Reason in Verona's public square where so much of the struggle between the Capulets and the Montagues took place, and seeing Romeo and Juliet dancing on a terrace in a real garden bring home the tragedy. For lovers of the ballet this Christmas, particularly young lovers of the ballet, there couldn't be a better book.

Fans of American Ballet Theatre will want to know about the new book ROMEO & JULIET: The Love Story in Dance. The photographer Nancy Ellison had the inspired idea of giving us in a picture book a photo narrative of the Romeo and Juliet story in Verona where it originally took place. The Romeo and Juliet are Angel Corella and Paloma Herrera who have appeared in the Macmillan Ballet about the tragic lovers. The photos are accompanied by Shakespeare's words. I never imagined it would be possible to find in Verona a balcony like Juliet's and other places that in these marvelous photographs frame the action of the tragedy. Looking at the great Staircase of Reason in Verona's public square where so much of the struggle between the Capulets and the Montagues took place, and seeing Romeo and Juliet dancing on a terrace in a real garden bring home the tragedy. For lovers of the ballet this Christmas, particularly young lovers of the ballet, there couldn't be a better book.

I can't express enough how beautiful this book is! Not ony does it show the beauty of Verona, it captures it in ballet. Angel Corella and Paloma Herrera have such chemistry and give Shakepeare a new meaning. They are two very sexy dancers. The book's photos are what make it so exquisite. Nancy Ellison has created a book that is breathtaking. No coffee table should be without it, especially if you are into ballet! A must get for holiday gifts!!!!!!!