Cheap The Australian Ballet - Coppelia (DVD) (Virginia Lumsden) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Australian Ballet - Coppelia

Traditional and Classic
This production of Coppelia is very well performed in a traditional and classic style. For the most part, the dancing is outstanding, especially the lead dancers. It is a worthy addition to any ballet lover's collection. The costumes are very decorative and the sets are rustic with an old Eastern European charm. Why four stars instead of five? It's because the Kirov (1993) version has several important qualities missing or underrepresented in the Australian version. First, Coppelia, the mechanical doll, is much more animated and charming in the Kirov version. The choreographer, Oleg Vinogradov, wisely chose to give her more character and attention. After all, the ballet is named after her. In the Australian rendition, she is strictly a mechanism, with very brief appearances. You wonder why Franz and his friends ever fell for her. Second, the Kirov version creates much more interaction and support between the lead dancers and the corps. This helps to unify the two elements and accents the rift between Swanilda and Franz, especially in the final scene. In the Australian rendition, the corps and the lead dancers are much more separated, and the corps is often seen standing passively in the shadows like members of an audience. Finally, Vinogradov has wisely added comic gestures throughout the ballet, including a delightful and humorous dance involving Coppelia and Franz's friends. This is very fitting because Coppelia is probably the most famous comic ballet in the repertory. (Incidentally, in E.T.A. Hoffmann's famous tale and Offenbach's opera, Coppelia could utter friendly sighs and dance.) The Australian rendition tends to focus on elegant and classic poses--beautiful but somewhat sugary at times and not contributing much to the story. <
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>One review of the Kirov version has appropriately commented that the Australian production is more traditional and classic. This is true to a large extent. However, Coppelia lends itself to new choreography due, in large part, to its intrinsic comic element. The late George Balanchine added a considerable amount of new choreography to Coppelia, especially in the final act. This same review has added a few comments that should probably be taken with a grain of wheat. Yes, the Mazurka is missing from the first act because Vinogradov thought it was more appropriate to include it in the final scene as one of the festive dances in the town celebration. Yes, the Kirov left out the shaking of the wheat (a test for faithfulness) probably because the sets and costumes are more contemporary. (There's a very charming shaking of the wheat in the Paris version, 2001.) And what about the strange accusation that the second act of the Kirov version is grotesque? In the Australian version, we see a menacing figure carrying a severed head, a writhing bandaged body, and Franz placed on a wheel rack--enough said? (Incidentally, these scenes are not mentioned in the "traditional" story.) They might have frightened Hoffmann and Delibes. After all, Dr. Coppelius was meant to be eccentric but not necessarily malevolent. Finally, this same review concludes that the Kirov version is for people who hate ballet. Needless to say, this comment is not worth one grain of wheat--not to mention the chaff. <
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Delibes, Hoffman-Coppellia / Lisa Pavane, Greg Horsman, Australian Ballet
I also had not seen anything by the Australian Ballet before and was very pleased with the quality and entertainment value of this production. Costumes, music, scenery, acting, and dancing all excellent. My 5 year old daughter and I have collected most of the renowned versions of the classic story ballets and this one may be the most fun to watch. This would be a great way to introduce someone of any age to ballet. Act two is superb.