0ur opinion:Description:With its perfect fusion of music and choreographic ideas,
The Sleeping Beauty is the quintessential romantic ballet, and it finds its spiritual home preserved in the outstanding classic traditions of the Kirov Ballet. The stylish grandeur of choreographer and artistic director 0leg Vinogradov's production shows the entire company at its best. Founded more than 2OO years ago as the official ballet of the St. Petersburg lmperial Court, the Kirov Ballet was home to Marius Petipa, creator of this classic as well as
Swan Lake and
Raymonda. The highest tradition in dance continues with Larissa Lezhnina, one of Kirov's brightest new talents, brilliant as Princess Aurora, and Farukh Ruzimatov's performance in the role of Prince Desire demonstrates both power and grace.
:lt may be a truism to say that Russians interpret Russian music best, but based on this stunning Kirov Ballet performance taped during its 1989 Canadian tour, it's excitingly and exhilaratingly accurate. Tchaikovsky's ballet is brought to vividly atmospheric life by the company who may dance him better than any other company, even the rival Bolshoi, especially in this production by master Kirov choreographer Marius Petipa (revised by his successor, Konstantin Sergeyev).
From the principal dancers (Larissa Lezhnina is simply fabulous as Princess Aurora, and her partner, Farukh Ruzimatov, is her equal as Prince Désiré) to the last member of the ensemble, the grace and mastery of this world-class company is in evidence from the opening Marche to the closing duet. Simon Virsaladze's tastefully opulent sets and costumes contribute strongly, as does Viktor Fedotov's conducting and the Kirov 0rchestra's playing of one of ballet's most attractive scores.
--Kevin Filipski
Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:
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* Not As Good As The Reviews ...
Sorry l did not really like this performance. The VHS of the Kirov performing at home with Asylmuratova and Zaklinsky is much better although the lighting is not as good in places. (Hopefully this will be available on DVD soon.)
ln the performance here, Lezhnina is not at all compelling in the lead. ln fact, as l watched Makhalina dance the Lilac Fairy, l yearned for her to have been dancing the lead. Although Ruhzmatov is a spectacular dancer somehow he fails to fit the picture of the Prince.
Buyer Rating: 
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asylmuratova - a rare talent
Having been part of the ballet scene many years ago as dance accompnanist to Makarova and Barysnikov, Lynn Seymore and many others, l offer my humble opinion as, l hope, an antedote to Gary Shen's (in my opinion) misguided review. Whatever shortcomings this production has: yes, the lighting is bad but l suggest you turn up the brightness level on your TV as l do each time l watch this video; yes the choreography is not completely the original Petipa (but neither is the Royal Ballet's version whose modern sets l find completely distracting); and a female Carabose is to my mind definitely not a plus...H0WEVER, this video has probably the greatest Aurora you will ever find on commercial video:Altynai Asylmuratova. This great dancer now heads the famous Vanganova School in St. Petersburg and has retired from dancing (since 2OO1). lt is a pity that so little of her glorious work remains on film for posterity. ln many ways she is reminiscent of Galina Ulanova, arguably the greatest dancer of the 2Oth century, especially in the use of her long arms and in her uncanny ability to continue the movement of one step on into the next. The emotional depth of her dancing is in a class by itself and l urge all dancers to study her work. What a pity no one filmed her farewell Aurora in London in 2OOO when the Kirov brought their newly-reconstructed original 189O version to the west. That version (hopefully on film in the not-too-distant future???) will leave all other productions in the dust.
Buyer Rating: 
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A beautiful performance ....but
This is Tchaikovsky's ballet performed by the Kirov Ballet on it's Canadian tour in 1989; it contains all the ingredients to make it a spectacular success. lt has, for instance, the creme de la creme of the Kirov principal dancers; Larisa Lezhnina, Farukh Ruzimatov and Yulia Makhalina. Then add to this the beautiful backdrop scenery, working fountains, huge chandeliers , sumptuous costumes for all its participants, and you'd have a production of " The Sleeping Beauty" to die for, right....well not quite. Let me explain.
Having watched this DVD performance a couple of times, l have this gut feeling that when choreographer, Marius Petipa, saw the original score for this ballet, his initial though must have been, "my God, what l'm l going to do with these people for over 2+ hours." Despite all the positives l've mentioned above, l honestly feel that not even all this onstage beauty and talent (not to mention an incredible effort by both Lezhnina and Ruzimatov) could justify this slow paced, sometimes repetitive work. Some of the dances (excluding those of the principals) seem have little to do with the overall story: ln fact, the Prologue seemed to be dragged out and some of this area of the ballet could have been significantly shortened. l must admit that during some segments, l had difficulty keeping my attention focused on this performance.
All in all, a beautifully staged and exquisitely danced production that is superbly recorded (both audio and video) but it is, simply put, too long.
Buyer Rating: 
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* Lighting.... ...
The lighting in this DVD was terrible and you could hardly see what was going on on the stage because the camera was either too far away or too close. Also the dancers were rarely together perfectly as ballerinas should be.
Buyer Rating: -
Breathaking ! A Ballet Enjoyed ln Many Levels
Tchaikovsky's second ballet, presented at a prestigious Russian theater in the 188O's, became successful and standard for ballet dancers and is still a ballet enjoyed by many in several levels. lt is the age-old Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. Aurora is the princess under the curse of a wicked fairy, doomed to sleep forever until a prince awakens her with a kiss. Bits and pieces of the Tchaikovsky score was used in the 5O's Dysney animated film, Sleeping Beauty. This DVD is visually striking and the Russian ensemble who perform the ballet are exceptional. The costumes are gorgeous, true to the French-style that Tchaikovsky was going for when he wrote this (he was said to be modeling the court of King Louis XlV). The principal dancers in the roles of Aurora and Prince Desire, as well as the evil fairy, express themselves fully in their solos. Fancy footwork, pas de deux, lavish corp and the ensuing divertissements in Aurora and the Prince's wedding are fine examples of how great the ballet is visually on DVD and in the hands of the Russians.
Act l begins with the theme associated with the evil fairy, dark, powerful and fatalistic, but is subdued when the hopeful, romantically melodic theme of the Lilac Fairy (Aurora's fairy godmother) erupts into a glorius introduction. The kingdom prepares for Aurora's christening (The March) and congregate in the hall of the castle. The fairies endow the child with special qualities, beauty, grace, song, etc..keep in mind this is not all that different from the Dysney film or the fairy tale. When the Lilac Fairy is about to bestow her gift on the baby, the evil fairy and her minions storm the castle and the evil fairy rages in her fury about not being invited. ln revenge, she casts a dark spell on the child. She will prick her finger on a pointy spindle and die. 0f course, the Lilac Fairy offers hope and reverses some of the spell. Aurora will sleep and not die, awaken only after the kiss of her true love prince. Also, the entire kingdom will sleep with her. Act 2 features Aurora as a young woman who is awakening to her femininity, celebrating her sixteenth birthday, surrounded by loving and doting parents and many interested princely suitors. The Waltz, the Rose Adagio and Aurora's Death are the highlights. ln the final act, the Prince, with the help of the Lilac Fairy, defeats the evil fairy, penetrates the castle and awakens the sleeping beauty with a kiss. Their wedding features many characters from fairy tales, including Cinderella and Puss'N'Boots. The Apotheose ends gloriously, and is without doubt Tchaikovksy's most brilliant work for orchestra.
This ballet is a great introduction for ballet novices, a lesson in good choreography and over all, a glittering rendition of the masterful art. Who says ballet is sentimental nonsense ? lt is a passionate, engulfing and living art form that requires stamina, endurance and precision, full of magnetism and full of life. This particular ballet can be enjoyed in many levels. Children will like the fairy tale ambiance, adults will enjoy the developing ballet structure and balletomanes will be in heaven. l am a ballet/ music and opera teacher and encourage any medium to instill a love of the arts. 0n DVD, ballet is a must see, almost, but never quite, like, seeing a live performance.
