This 2003 Netherlands production may not be my favourite production of one of my favourite ballets and pieces, but it is still very, very good and often great.
One really does miss the lovely, graceful choreography of the Lilac Fairy, who is reduced to a still powerfully played mime role. And anybody fussy about cuts (me though the Cinderella and Prince Fortune variation omission and the abridgements of the Act 1 and 3 finale are admittedly regrettable) will find a lot of criticise with the production's numerous omissions and abridgements, especially in Act 2.
However, this production looks grand, with opulent settings, very atmospheric lighting if a touch too dark at the end of Act 1 and wonderfully elaborate costumes (some of the most beautiful of any DVD of Sleeping Beauty actually). Act 3 especially dazzles in its grandeur. It's very nicely filmed, with unobtrusive and sharp-in-picture video directing, and the sound has resonance. The choreography and Sir Peter Wright's sense of drama are nothing short of exceptional. The choreography is stunningly lyrical (especially in the Rose Adagio) and suitably playful in places (all of the Act 3 divertissment variations, like with Puss in Boots and Red Riding Hood), and the drama is tense and emotionally involving, wasn't crazy about what was done with the Lilac Fairy (though it is understandable why Wright chose to do it) but Aurora staying on stage as she enters the one hundred years sleep and the interaction between Carabosse and her minions and with Prince Florimund came off extremely well. The atmosphere in the finger pricking scene is also simply electrifying, and the end of Act 3 is enormous fun.
Musically, the production is superb, even the omissions and abridgements can't cheapen in any way Tchaikovsky's magnificent music and it still makes perfect musical sense. The orchestral playing is rich and beautiful in tone and has the right amount of power and nuance, while Ermanno Florio's energy and sensitivity to the performers is non-stop. The performances are every bit as great as the choreography, especially from the truly enchanting and enviously graceful (in dancing) Aurora of Sofiane Sylve, who excels dramatically in particularly the finger pricking scene, and Enrichetta Cavallotti's terrifying Carabosse. Gaël Lambiotte is a dashing Prince Florimund, and dances with superb grace and power, while Sarah Fontaine is a commanding Lilac Fairy and Jeanette Vondersaar is one of the most regal-looking Queens on any DVD of Sleeping Beauty and gives one of the best-acted accounts of the character's grief. The variations/divertissements are wonderfully danced, especially the Pas De Quatre and the Bluebird and Princess Florine variation.
In conclusion, beautiful production if not quite among the best Sleeping Beautys. 9/10 Bethany Cox
One really does miss the lovely, graceful choreography of the Lilac Fairy, who is reduced to a still powerfully played mime role. And anybody fussy about cuts (me though the Cinderella and Prince Fortune variation omission and the abridgements of the Act 1 and 3 finale are admittedly regrettable) will find a lot of criticise with the production's numerous omissions and abridgements, especially in Act 2.
However, this production looks grand, with opulent settings, very atmospheric lighting if a touch too dark at the end of Act 1 and wonderfully elaborate costumes (some of the most beautiful of any DVD of Sleeping Beauty actually). Act 3 especially dazzles in its grandeur. It's very nicely filmed, with unobtrusive and sharp-in-picture video directing, and the sound has resonance. The choreography and Sir Peter Wright's sense of drama are nothing short of exceptional. The choreography is stunningly lyrical (especially in the Rose Adagio) and suitably playful in places (all of the Act 3 divertissment variations, like with Puss in Boots and Red Riding Hood), and the drama is tense and emotionally involving, wasn't crazy about what was done with the Lilac Fairy (though it is understandable why Wright chose to do it) but Aurora staying on stage as she enters the one hundred years sleep and the interaction between Carabosse and her minions and with Prince Florimund came off extremely well. The atmosphere in the finger pricking scene is also simply electrifying, and the end of Act 3 is enormous fun.
Musically, the production is superb, even the omissions and abridgements can't cheapen in any way Tchaikovsky's magnificent music and it still makes perfect musical sense. The orchestral playing is rich and beautiful in tone and has the right amount of power and nuance, while Ermanno Florio's energy and sensitivity to the performers is non-stop. The performances are every bit as great as the choreography, especially from the truly enchanting and enviously graceful (in dancing) Aurora of Sofiane Sylve, who excels dramatically in particularly the finger pricking scene, and Enrichetta Cavallotti's terrifying Carabosse. Gaël Lambiotte is a dashing Prince Florimund, and dances with superb grace and power, while Sarah Fontaine is a commanding Lilac Fairy and Jeanette Vondersaar is one of the most regal-looking Queens on any DVD of Sleeping Beauty and gives one of the best-acted accounts of the character's grief. The variations/divertissements are wonderfully danced, especially the Pas De Quatre and the Bluebird and Princess Florine variation.
In conclusion, beautiful production if not quite among the best Sleeping Beautys. 9/10 Bethany Cox