A double bill featuring the Russian composer’s best-loved ballet, The Firebird, in two special productions spanning 40 years. The modern Royal Ballet production, with Leanne Benjamin as the Firebird, filmed in widescreen with Dolby Surround, is presented alongside the 1960s television recording conducted by Stravinsky himself*. The production of Les Noces, plus a new interview with David Drew, who danced in Nijinska’s original production, together with exclusive rehearsal footage of The Firebird and Les Noces, completes this extra-value title.

Leanne Benjamin, Jonathan Cope, Genesia Rosato, David Drew, Zenaida Yanowsky, David Pickering
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / John Carewe

TV Director: Ross MacGibbon

Repertoire New product Features Copy...

Plus


1965 BBC archive recording of Stravinsky conducting The Firebird (*PAL only)
David Drew on Nijinska’s world
Behind-the-scenes rehearsal of The Firebird and Les Noces
24 page illustrated booklet in English, French and German


Reviews
‘…priceless historic material.’
Dance Expression

‘The Firebird and Les Noces in revelatory and near-definitive versions…’
The Independent

‘…Dowell’s final months with the Royal [Ballet] turned out to be a rather classy farewell season, with some exemplary programming (especially the superb Stravinsky Staged)….’
The Guardian

‘More gaping is required with the DVD of two of Stravinsky’s early ballets…Many music lovers may think that they know The Firebird inside out. But without reproductions of the original choreography and the sets and costumes’ extraordinary spangle and splash, they have enjoyed only half the experience.
The joy of this DVD stretches beyond the images….the Royal Opera House Orchestra play like angels, or devils (the music demands both), on top of every nuance, riding every thwack and thrust. The final cherry on the cake is the inclusion of a televised Festival Hall concert in 1965, with Stravinsky conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra in the Firebird suite….hearing the music through his abrupt and incisive gestures is a fascinating experience.’
The Times

Awards & Accolades:
Penguin Guide - 3 stars
The Independent - BEST DVDS OF THE YEAR 2002

CAT NO: OA 0832 D
FORMAT: PAL
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
LENGTH: 145 MiINS
SOUND: DOLBY SURROUND / LPCM STEREO
SUBTITLES: FR/DE/ES/NL (excluding archive footage)
RELEASED: 01/08/2002
NO OF DISCS: 1