One of the most wonderful things about the Bolshoi Live from Moscow cinema transmissions is feeling the full impact of being in the house itself when in reality seeing it for much cheaper, going to the ballet (and opera even more so) is not cheap unless you get some kind of student deal, and in a location much more accessible. Am a big fan of ballet, ever since 6 years old with 'Swan Lake', and have always seen since the ballet/opera live cinema transmissions first came about as many ballet and opera productions as possible, one of my favourite things to do.
My favourite non-Tchaikovsky ballets (saying that because 'Swan Lake', 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'The Nutcracker' are all in my top five) have always been 'Giselle' and 'Coppelia', but there is a soft spot for 'Don Quixote'. The story is sprawling somewhat but have always loved the atmosphere, have seldom been disappointed by the choreography in any production available and Minkus' music is some of his best. Although the DVD competition for 'Don Quixote' is not an enormous one, it is one of the more consistent ones for any ballet. Have liked to loved all of them. Same goes for this treasure, which does deserve a DVD release because it does show that Bolshoi do 'Don Quixote' splendidly and why the Bolshoi Live from Moscow cinema transmissions are always well worth going to.
The production is simple (not a bad thing at all) but rustic and colourful, so on a visual level it does have appeal. Never does it feel bare or drab. The presentation of the transmission allows one to enjoy the production values as well as everything else, the video directing both expansive and intimate. The choreography is both witty and graceful, also succeeding in giving the story momentum and making it coherent.
Just as crucial is the music and how it's performed. This production excels brilliantly in this regard too. Plenty of energy, power and nuances in the orchestral playing and the conducting is alert in some places and sensitive in others.
All the principal performers make their mark. The titular character is portrayed with dignity, Vladimir Strudov is a swaggering and charismatic Espada and Marina Rjannikova is wonderfully over the top as the Street Dancer. The production belongs to Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev. Both are youthful, exuberant and nuanced in interpretation, nothing cold or remote here, and their partnership is a perfect match, evident in the exquisite Pas De Deux. Their dancing is out of this world and impeccable in technique, with some of the most refined and controlled turns from both from any ballet production seen recently, some of the most powerful jumps of any male dancer seen in a long time and it's not everyday when you see pirouettes of such elegance and grace.
In conclusion, superb. 10/10 Bethany Cox
