Product Description
-------------------
The quintessential Romantic ballet, Giselle has remained a
cornerstone of the classical repertory and captivated audiences
all over the world since its premiere in 1841. Peter Wright's
landmark production does full justice to this work's great
emotional power: making the characters psychologically convincing
and emphasizing the contrast between the realism of Act I and the
other-worldly in Act II. Making her debut as a member of The
Royal Ballet in the title role, Natalia Osipova was hailed as
‘technically and artistically supreme … ethereal and desperately
moving’ (Daily Telegraph). As Albrecht, Carlos Acosta ‘partners
her with devoted care, and responds to her dazzling dancing with
renewed sharpness and attack of his own’ (Independent). Filmed in
High Definition and recorded in true Surround Sound.
Press Reviews
"Natalia Osipova, making her debut with the Royal, is, yet again,
a revelation. Through the quality of her dancing and dramatic
imagination she manages to hold two conflicting forces in play,
Giselle as a drama of the gothic supernatural and Giselle as a
human love story. The ending is as tragic as any Giselle I've
seen." (The Guardian ★★★★★)
"A Giselle even better than anticipated, which – given [Natalia
Osipova's] performance in the same role with the Mikhailovsky
ballet last year – was no mean feat.
Heroically partnered by Carlos Acosta as the
duplicitous-then-remorseful Count Albrecht, Osipova in Act I
floats on air and spins in reckless ecstasy, in an interpretation
both technically and artistically supreme.
... Her ballon and elevation are unique: she appears virtually to
be able to will herself into mid-air, to hang there unsupported.
I have never seen a Giselle either so ethereal or ... so
eloquently imploring or forgiving, every supernaturally
weightless hop and flicker of those long arms magically moulded
into an expression of love. By the time Osipova's Giselle makes
her desperately moving departure – retreating into the morning
mist with such delicacy that she genuinely seems to dissolve into
it – you know you have been in the presence of greatness.
[...] Peter Wright and John Macfarlane's production is the most
beautiful there is, and this was truly a night to remember" (The
Telegraph)
"Natalia Osipova's Giselle is the most radical I’ve ever seen.
Not because she takes any liberties with this Romantic classic –
she dances with pure line, superb technique and feeling for the
ballet's style – but because her dramatic intelligence brings it
to such fresh, burning life. The Royal Ballet looks energised by
its new star, with a strong company performance around her.
Acosta partners her with devoted care, and responds to her
dazzling dancing with renewed sharpness and attack of his own. "
(The Independent ★★★★★)
Cast
Natalia Osipova (Giselle)
Carlos Acosta (Albrecht)
Thomas Whitehead (Hilarion)
Deidre Chapman (Berthe)
Hikaru Kobayashi (Myrtha (Queen of the Wilis))
Johannes Stepanek (Wilfred)
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin
Production
Company: The Royal Ballet
Stage Director: Christopher Carr
Television Director: Ross MacGibbon
Designer: John MacFarlane
Choreographer: Marius Petipa; Peter Wright
Disc Information
Catalogue Number: OA1144D
Date of Performance: 2014
Running Time: 113 minutes
Sound: LPCM & DTS Master Audio 5.1
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Label: Opus Arte
Review
------
Natalia Osipova, making her debut with the Royal, is, yet again,
a revelation. --The Guardian
Natalia Osipova's Giselle is the most radical I've ever seen.
--The Independent