Have always loved ballet from a very early age, 6 years old, with 'Swan Lake' being the one to introduce me to this wonderful world of timeless classical music and dancing that inspires and mesmerises many. While not my favourite opera/ballet company, the live Bolshoi ballet cinema broadcasts are of great interest, and while, like has been said by me with the Metropolitan Opera with their live cinema broadcasts, some are better than others it is great to feel like you're there but seeing it for cheaper and more accessibly.
'Giselle' has always been a favourite, my favourite non-Tchaikovsky ballet being between it and 'Coppelia'. Adam's music truly glistens and takes one to another world and the story has passion and poignancy. 'Class Concert' was completely new to me prior to watching and although it won't be a favourite any time soon, with it being an appreciate it rather than love ballet, there is absolutely no regret getting acquainted with it. Interesting concept and use of music. This is a great production (actually saw it a long time ago but forgot all about it until live cinema transmissions and Bolshoi was brought up in conversation suddenly quite recently), with both the ballets done extremely well. Especially 'Giselle', which is a specialty of Bolshoi and it has always been a ballet it has done well.
When it comes to the production values, 'Giselle' fares better. Don't get me wrong, 'Class Concert' visually fits the concept like a glove, if somewhat too simple and on the bare side. Just that the production values for 'Giselle' are more to my taste, much more atmosphere in particularly some haunting lighting. Both are designed very tastefully and it is appreciated that it was never too drab or garish, or fussy.
Choreography for both ballets is full of panache and grace with a great balance of more basic and complex (most obvious in 'Class Concert', which fitted the concept). 'Giselle' as ever is full of balletic show-stoppers and neither ballet is choreographed in a way that is too busy or too static.
Musically, from beginning to end the music is beautifully performed by the orchestra bringing every ounce of passionate power, rhythmic energy and sympathetic nuances. The conducting accommodates the dancing very well while still providing momentum.
The Corps De Ballet look well rehearsed and there is little to complain about with the principal performances. Svetlana Zakhrova dances impeccably and captures the innocence, tragedy and other-worldliness in a way that never feels too remote.
Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Giselle' has always been a favourite, my favourite non-Tchaikovsky ballet being between it and 'Coppelia'. Adam's music truly glistens and takes one to another world and the story has passion and poignancy. 'Class Concert' was completely new to me prior to watching and although it won't be a favourite any time soon, with it being an appreciate it rather than love ballet, there is absolutely no regret getting acquainted with it. Interesting concept and use of music. This is a great production (actually saw it a long time ago but forgot all about it until live cinema transmissions and Bolshoi was brought up in conversation suddenly quite recently), with both the ballets done extremely well. Especially 'Giselle', which is a specialty of Bolshoi and it has always been a ballet it has done well.
When it comes to the production values, 'Giselle' fares better. Don't get me wrong, 'Class Concert' visually fits the concept like a glove, if somewhat too simple and on the bare side. Just that the production values for 'Giselle' are more to my taste, much more atmosphere in particularly some haunting lighting. Both are designed very tastefully and it is appreciated that it was never too drab or garish, or fussy.
Choreography for both ballets is full of panache and grace with a great balance of more basic and complex (most obvious in 'Class Concert', which fitted the concept). 'Giselle' as ever is full of balletic show-stoppers and neither ballet is choreographed in a way that is too busy or too static.
Musically, from beginning to end the music is beautifully performed by the orchestra bringing every ounce of passionate power, rhythmic energy and sympathetic nuances. The conducting accommodates the dancing very well while still providing momentum.
The Corps De Ballet look well rehearsed and there is little to complain about with the principal performances. Svetlana Zakhrova dances impeccably and captures the innocence, tragedy and other-worldliness in a way that never feels too remote.
Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox