Minkus: Don Quixote

Product Description

Carlos Acosta's first venture directing one of ballet's 19th century classics was eagerly anticipated, as was his own starring role in the production (as Basilio), site the Argentinian Royal Ballet principal Marianella Nuñez (Kitri). Still built on Petipa's original choreography, Acosta's clear dramatic structure and vivid stage action gave the ‘boy gets girl despite her her’ story a more convincing air than usual, with Don Quixote's parallel obsession with Dulcinea-Kitri coherently woven into the plot.

"What Acosta has principally ed for is to clarify the narrative, find a more contemporary vibe for the characters and, above all, to rediscover the ballet's fun. In that, he has largely succeeded. He also has Marianela Nunez as his Kitri, whose triumph was not only to dance and flirt her way radiantly through first night nerves, but to find in Kitri a delicacy and detail that is often overlooked in the role's grandstanding technique." (The Guardian)

"... a jovial and entertaining showcase for classical dancing at its most demanding and exuberant. One of the pleasures of this ballet is to be tickled by Minkus's infectiously melodious score... Marianela Nuñez and Acosta delivered sparky, engaging performances." (The Times)

"But while this may be Acosta's night, the show really belongs to his Kitri, Marianela Nuñez. A woman of sparky personality, teasing wit and steely technique, you can see why every man in the village is in love with her. The stage could have been a lot dimmer without her, but Nuñez brings bew warmth and down-to-earth humanity to this fantastical folly of a show. " (Evening Standard ★★★★)

Production
Company: The Royal Ballet
Stage Director: Carlos Acosta
Television Director: Ross MacGibbon
Designer: Tim Hatley
Choreographer: Carlos Acosta (after Marius Petipa)

Disc Information
Catalogue Number: OA1133D
Date of Performance: 2013
Running Time: 125 minutes
Sound: Dolby Digital + 5.1 DTS / 24 bit LPCM / 5.1 DTS Master Audio HD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Label: Opus Arte

Review

a jovial and entertaining showcase for classical dancing at its most demanding and exuberant. One of the pleasures of this ballet is to be tickled by Minkus's infectiously melodious scoreMarianela Nunez and Acosta delivered sparky, engaging performances. --The Times

What Acosta has principaly ed for is to clarify the narrative, find a more contemporary vibe for the characters and, above all, to rediscover the ballet's fun. In that, he has largely succeeded --The Guardian

This Don Quixote is dreamy, courtly and kind-hearted gentleman who genuinely wishes to do good in the world, providing an emotional heart to the pizzazz blazing around him. --Dance International