Minkus, Ludwig/Nureyev: Dancer's Dream: La Bayadere (Arthaus DVD)

A documentary dedicated to the great ballet productions by RUDOLF NUREYEV performed at the OPÉRA NATIONAL DE PARIS

Directed by FRANÇOIS ROUSSILLON
Choreography and Stage Direction by RUDOLF NUREYEV
Set Design by EZIO FRIGERIO
Costume Design by FRANCA SQUARCIAPINO
Nikiya ISABELLE GUÉRIN
Gamzatti ELISABETH PLATEL
Solor LAURENT HILAIRE
Music by LUDWIG MINKUS
Les Etoiles, les Premiers Danseurs et le Corps de Ballet de l’Opéra
national de Paris
Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris conducted by VELLO PÄHN


Rudolf Nureyev’s version of La Bayadère, which takes up a whole evening, had its premiere at the Palais Garnier in Paris on 8 October 1992. Everybody who was anybody in French ballet and society was present, because after the performance Nureyev was to receive the highest cultural honour France had to bestow, the rank of ‘Commandeur des
Arts et Lettres’ of the Legion of Honour. It was one of Nureyev’s last public appearances; he already showed the signs of AIDS and died a few weeks later, on 6 January 1993.

La Bayadère proved to be the perfect piece for demonstrating the diverse talents of the Paris company, which had become the best ballet ensemble in the world since Nureyev had been appointed Artistic Director ten years earlier.