Customer Reviews

101 Stories of the Great Ballets: The scene-by-scene stories of the most popular ballets, old and new (A Dolphin book)

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

 

 

I purchased this book and now regret it. So many of the ballets decribed are minor pieces that are rarely performed any more, while many major classic ballets that are still performed and/or that are important in dance history are totally neglected (e.g. Le Corsaire, Raymonda, Paquita, Esmerelda). Other descriptions focus only on one part of the ballet rather than telling you the actual story. The entry on "La Bayadère," for instance, focuses almost entirely on Act IV, which is frustrating since this is a ballet with a complicated libretto that could really benefit from a complete summary. I'd recommend going to a library and photocopying the info on the ballets that interest you rather than purchasing this as a handy reference book to have at home. It's just not worth the money.

Balanchine had a unique ability to understand the ballet and to be able to explain it to others, even if they did not know anything about it. This book which he wrote with Francis Mason, is very handy for balletomane's to have on their shelves. It explains about different ballet's, both classical and contemporary, and describes their story line or plot and gives detailed comments about how the ballet is presented. Good for reference or for curious readers.

This book is one of the best book I have obtained over the years. My brother uses it when he has to attend ballet with our family since he can never figure out what is goin on since there is no speaking. Balencine has a great understanding of the ballets and tells you the important parts and leaves out the "hoopla". I recamend it for anyone who attends the ballet as a person that apreciates the art or someone just forced to go.

This is a great book. I read the story, then watch the ballet. It has helped me to understand the ballets.