Giselle

Everybody has a favorite Giselle. Or two or three. There might not be a bad performance in Amazon's catalog. The seven I've seen are all good, more or less. Among my favorites are two on Blu-ray -- Alina Cojocaru and the Royal Ballet  Giselle [Blu-ray ] and the Dutch National Ballet  Adam: Giselle [Blu-ray ] with its beautifully filmed Act II.Along with those, this DVD reissue of La Scala's 2005 production, which features the pairing of Svetlana Zakharova and Roberto Bolle and an all-around solid performance, merits the notice of ballet lovers who already have another Giselle they hold near and dear.With Zakharova's regal bearing and phenomenal extensions, you might not think she could convincingly portray the naive country girl of Act I. Such low expectations fail to credit Zakharova's intelligence and skills as an actress. Her realization of the simple, carefree young woman who unexpectedly encounters love is so completely natural, so unforced, that if you'd never seen Zakharova before, you'd have a hard time picturing her in another role.And when she discovers how Albrecht has betrayed her, literally lets down her long flowing hair and goes mad -- my goodness, Zakharova raises the intensity level to an entirely higher plane. The look of wildness on her face, of sheer terror, of being suddenly thrown into a world where nothing any longer makes sense is matched by the sweep of her dynamic movement about the stage that so rivets our attention that when she collapses in death, we don't even notice the camera has missed the exit of Albrecht's betrothed and her royal retinue.This is one hell of a performance.But the ballet's only half over, and Zakharova is by no means finished. In Act II, as a wholly spiritual Giselle no longer limited by the weakness of her physical heart, Zakharova is free to display her fuller abilities as a dancer and as an actress, which are formidable. Marta Romagna is a stern-faced, implacable Myrtha, but Zakharova's Giselle stands before her, unrelenting, indomitable. When dawn finally breaks and Myrtha and the Wilis must retreat, the feeling that a valiant victory has been won is palpable.Bolle is no mere spectator here. In fact, it is the combination of the two dancers that places this Giselle among the very best.Albrecht can be depicted as a rake, a scoundrel, a duplicitous Don Giovanni who seduces the innocent Giselle without care for the consequences. That's not Bolle's way. His characterization of the ingénue's heartthrob is of an Albrecht who is naive in his own way -- a thoughtless man rather than a malicious one, a man who does not realize he is playing with the life of another human being until it is too late and she is dead.When he enters in Act II, approaching Giselle's grave, Bolle's Albrecht is obviously contrite, conscious of his guilt, seeking forgiveness. And Myrtha makes him suffer -- oh, yes she does. Bolle is clearly a well-conditioned athlete, but by the time he has collapsed in parallel to Giselle's demise in Act I, he is panting and dripping with sweat. In its own way, Bolle's performance in Act II is no less phenomenal than Zakharova's, and it is the pair of them together that make this Giselle so strong. When Zakharova/Giselle sinks back into her grave (which is accomplished so deftly in this production), a real sense of atonement emanates from Bolle/Albrecht -- a sense that not all Giselle stagings convey.In addition to the outstanding lead roles, La Scala's corps de ballet performs here as superbly as it did in Swan Lake  Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Zakharova, Bolle, Sutera, Chisleni, Brazzo, Vallone, Tuggle, La Scala Ballet , which is no small compliment. Vittorio D'Amato makes Hilarion a decent, ordinary guy instead of the dumb country bumpkin too often represented. For once, Albrecht's royal fiancée (Flavia Vallone) doesn't look old enough to be his mother. David Coleman's conducting is right on the mark, especially in the "Évocation magique" scene of the Wilis. Video and audio quality are both top-notch.Add all these elements together, and you have a Giselle that's well worth considering, no matter what your special favorite is. If you're new to Giselle -- or if it's new to you -- then this La Scala production makes for an excellent introduction.

Certainly, Adam’s Gisele is one of the most popular, beautiful and satisfying ballet in terms of story, music and dance. This performance, recorded at the Teatro Alla Scala – Milan, Italy –, is perfect and deserves a top rating. The dancers, Svetlana Zakharova and Robert Bolle are incomparable, a show of skill and beauty… Magical!I enthusiastically recommend the DVD, if you love dance and want to enjoy a modern version of this work, hailed by ballet historians as the apotheosis of the Romantic Ballet.

Every Ballet should have this. Its the most superb recording of this staple romantic tale. the principals are superb! A must have for any collection.

I know the music well from listening to it on radio. I now can see the ballet with as much enjoyment.

Wonderful, I loved it.

Giselle, with music by Adolphe Adam, is perhaps my favorite ballet, exquisite in terms of emotional depth and aesthetic beauty. Svetlana Zakharova is the star of this La Scala production, practically saving the entire production. The majority of the corps de ballet of La Scala are bland and unexciting, and at times fall out of their lines. The modified choreography doesn't do La Scala much justice, either.What makes this definitely worth viewing and owning is Svetlana Zakharova's stunning performance as Giselle. Her perfect technique and beautiful lines aside, she portrays a near-ideal Giselle. This DVD is worth owning solely due to her. Opposite her is Roberto Bolle, who does a mediocre job at the emotionally intricate role of Albrecht. Though his body and frame are aesthetically ideal, he dances the role as a stereotypical romantic, without incorporating the genius of the story. Another dancer worth mentioning is Vittorio D'Amato, who I think was more or less the only native Italian worth mentioning (in terms of artistry), in the role of Hilarion.The quality of the video is very good, with dozens of appropriately-placed shots throughout the ballet. For a more perfected version of Giselle, I would look to the Kirov's Giselle with Mezentseva. However, for fans of Zakharova and Giselle, this is worth owning.

What brilliant perfomance! All the dancers were outstanding but the principal Ballerina was absolutely superb.Without any doubt the best production we have ever seen of Giselle.Of course it would be wonderful to be there, but in some waysthe DVD is even better. Close-ups and different views Sure you lose the atmosphere but this DVD on our Bose systemwas fantastic. Well worth the cost and we will be watching again ------soon!Mike and Wendy Woollam in South Africa.

An interesting adaption of the choreography allows Svetlana Zakharova to show off her very good acting skills, particularly in the 'Mad Scene'. This is coupled with her excellent technical skills and phenomenal grace and elegance of her ballet making her a Giselle to remember. She is partnered by Roberto Bolle who is an excellent Albrecht. Zakharova brings out the vulnerability of Giselle in the first act and the forgiveness shown by her in the second, brilliantly. This DVD is well filmed and the orchestration is first rate. This is a Giselle that I am glad to have in my ballet collection.

Siamo di fronte ad un'opera che è l'essenza del romanticismo, ad un cast stellare, musica adeguata, scenografia e costumi deliziosi.Gli appassionati del genere la conosceranno sicuramente, mentre per i neofiti sarebbe un buon punto di partenza, comunque questa rappresentazione la consiglio ad entrambi e soprattutto agli amanti dell'arte in generale.Qualità del suono e video ottima, peccato non l'abbiano proposta anche in blu ray.Servizio Amazon sempre perfetto.Giselle e' il simbolo del balletto classico. Ispiratore di Gautier autore del libretto, fu la leggenda delle Villi, spiriti di fidanzate innamorate della danza che a causa dell'abbandono dell'amato, muoiono ed il loro spirito è costretto a vagare per la foresta alla ricerca di uomini con cui ballare tutta la notte sino a farli morire, onde placare il loro dolore.Il balletto si compone di due atti.Nel primo Giselle s'innamora, viene abbandonata da Albrecht, precedentemente promesso sposo ad un'altra, e muore.Nel secondo atto lo spirito di Giselle entra a far parte delle Villi, mentre Albrecth disperato d'amore piange sulla sua tomba. Giselle gli appare e con lei le Villi lo obbligano a ballare. Ma lei lo perdona ed il suo amore lo salverà dalla morte.Quindi alla vita terrena, solare e spensierata del primo atto, si contrappone il regno oscuro e ultraterreno degli spiriti.Ma l'amore assoluto vince anche se Albrecht vivrà senza di lei.Il personaggio di Giselle risulta particolarmente difficile da interpretare in quanto richiede forza espressiva, drammaticità, capacità di interpretare l'amore, la disperazione della giovane contadina, nel primo atto; ed una perizia tecnica abbinata a lievità, finezza impalpabile per entrare nel personaggio dello spirito nel secondo. Svetana Zakharova supera la prova ed ha diritto ad accedere nell'empireo delle grandi ballerine.Il nostro Roberto Bolle amato ed osannato dagli appassionati/e interpreta un Albrecht maturo e meraviglioso.

Merci Mme Zakharova pour tout ce bonheur que vous nous apportez à chacune de vos prestations.Ici encore vous nous faites oublier ces pourtant formidables interprétations des Lunkina, Cojocaru, Tsygankova,Pujol.....Perfection de votre danse, de votre jeu théatral, de votre expression corporelle et surtout de votre extraordinaire musicalité. Là où les autres danseuses posent leur pied sur la note, vous, vous le déroulez tout en désynchronisant le reste de votre corps pour rejoindre la note suivante.Concernant Roberto Bolle j'ai lu pas mal de commentaires où l'on peut lire que ce n'est pas le meilleur danseur; que ses sauts ne sont pas les plus hauts........... certes mais ici le ballet se nomme "Giselle" et non pas "Le corsaire"Aussi dans ce rôle à vision très romantique il a tout ce dont on a besoin: charme, élégance, bon jeu théatral, parfaite danse avec des sauts à réception très précise, entre-chats qui n'ont rien à envier à par exemple Serguei Polunin dans la derniére représentation du Bolchoi avec Zakharova. Tous les deux sont à l'unisson et forment un formidable couple tant par la beauté que par leur jeu.Le reste, concernant le corps de ballet et les rôles secondaires, n'est pas mémorable. Les myrtha tenues par les Ekaterina Shipulina, Marianela Nunez ou Igone de Jongh sont nettement supérieures; Hilarion joue très bien la comédie mais la chorégraphie qui lui est attribuée n'est que très peu developpée.En revanche une version très humaine de cette Giselle avec quelques petits changements qui octroient à Albrecht certaines réactions d'Hilarion dans la plupart des autres versions.Exeptionnelle version de Zakharova donc mais il ne faut pas oublier Cojocaru ou Tsygankova pour leur acte 1 et Svetlana Lunkina pour son acte 2.

Über das Traunmpaar Bolle - Zakharova braucht man kein Wort verlieren, das ist Tanz in absoluter Perfektion. Das Ballettkorps der Skala ist wie immer über jeden Zweifel erhaben. Bühnenbild und Choreografie sind angenehm konservativ. Die Musik geht ins Ohr. Es stimmt einfach alles. Kaufempfehlung für alle Ballettfans!

Eine zu Herzen gehende Aufführung, bei der ich dank der gefühlvollen Darbietung der Giselle mitleiden muss. Swetlana Zakharowa und Roberto Bolle sind ein Traumpaar - ihre Tänze Genuss pur! Von den Balletteusen der Scala bin ich nicht so begeistert. Mir fehlt stellenweise die Perfektion des Wiener Staatsballetts. Die DVD ist trotz des kleinen Wermuttropfens insgesamt sehr empfehlenswert.