Swan Lake: The Royal Ballet [2015]

As I enjoyed this so much I thought I would comment on all three aspects of the disc: the quality of the Blu Ray itself, the Royal Ballet version of Swan Lake and the performance of the cast on the night.The Blu Ray is a superb production by Opus Arte with excellent filming and sound recording. There are one or two strange cut-shots but not enough to distract for more than a few seconds. The director gets it very much spot on, with the emphasis on the dancing and the odd close up for facial expressions (mostly during pauses in the dancing). 5/5.The Royal Ballet version of Swan Lake is one of the few with full mime content. For me a Swan Lake without mime is really missing something. The mime adds an extra dimension and if you’re not sure what I mean its worth googling. There are some notes on the mime in the booklet with the disc. The setting of the Royal Ballet Swan Lake is the 1890s and has elaborate and opulent sets and costumes, but this setting does jar a bit with the fairytale nature of the story. A score of 4/5 for the setting but bought up to 5/5 for the mime (I like the mime in case you haven’t guessed!).So to the best bit. The dancing by the leads is breathtaking. Natalia Osipova is a technical tour de force and her artistry and characterisation of Odette is full of sadness, hope and brief joy in Act 2 and sadness and disappointment in Act 4 (how could Siegfried be so gullible?). Her Act 3 Odile is joyously wicked, she gets the contrast between Odette and Odile just right. Matthew Golding is a fine Siegfried. He supports Osipova well in the white acts and demonstrates powerful dancing in the Act 3 pas de deux. He shows how it should be done and is a true Danseur Noble. 5/5 for the leads.The Royal Ballet corps are glorious in their romantic style tutus which make lovely flowing, fluffy patterns moving across the stage. Odette, in contrast, is in a classical tutu to let the audience appreciate every movement of her virtuosity (the cover of the disc shows the different tutu types). The use of romantic tutus for the corps is unpopular with some but I love it. Corps de Ballet 5/5.Of my six Swan Lake recordings this is my new favourite.

I had the great fortune to see this performance in Treviso, Italy, when it was live-streamed around the world from the ROH back in March this year (2015), and I can't think of a single justifiable criticism. Actually I regard it as a privilege to have been there. The entire performance was glorious the first time around, but now having watched it again on DVD it seems even better.I know Natalia Osipova has her detractors (I don't really know why) but every time she dances it's as if she owns the stage and lights it up. And in the roles of Odile and Odette she's no different.Also great credit should go to Matthew Golding who, in my opinion at least, is very well suited the role of the Prince. Some dancers I've seen in that part seem somewhat wooden and lacking in emotional depth, but I thought Golding was just the perfect complement to Osipova.There are so many outstanding performances here but surely credit should go to the entire corps de ballet - they are I believe as good as any in the world right now. They are stuffed to the gills with world class dancers who in many other companies would be much further up the ballet pecking order. Many of the first artists and soloists (eg, Francesca Hayward, Yuhui Choe, Alexander Campbell etc) would, elsewhere I believe, be stars in their own right.Otherwise it's hard to pick performances that stand out from the outstanding. They were all outstanding. But excepting Ms Osipova's towering performance, two of my most abiding memories of the night were the Neapolitan dance performed by Laura Morera and Ricardo Cervera (just joyous) and the wonderful Gary Avis at his menacing best as Rothbart.I'd give it all ten stars if possible. And 10 additional stars to Natalia Osipova who is, along with her current RB colleague Marianela Nuñez, among the greatest and most versatile ballerinas of her generation.Oh yes. I nearly forgot. The DVD production is great and pretty much what you'd expect from Ross MacGibbon.

Very good

This is a superb performance and definitely one to watch. I was lucky enough to see Osipova dance Odette - Odile at Covent Garden and saw this performance on the big screen. Osipova is one of the great Swan Queens and I have seen many ballerinas dance this role.Dowell's production is being replaced by a new one, possibly in 2016, so this is a great opportunity to see a very interesting interpretation. It was never originally intended to be made into a DVDs but public pressure made the Royal Ballet change its mind. I think this speaks for itself. Try it: you won't be disappointed!!

Absolutely beautiful...I love the Royal Ballet's Swan Lake... I have all that has been put on DVD. Every dancer has their own interpretation of their roles. This being the same. The leads are perfect..soft and vulnerable then strong and dominant...a perfect balance. The other soloists and other leading dancers with the rest of the Company have just been so beautifully coached with mime and expression it makes you understand every step they take. The costumes and sets were gorgeous..just a joy to own that can be watched over and over...

I love this DVD, my first Ballet DVD.I wonder why do ballet companies hire short ladies and make them dance on tip-toes when they could just hire taller ladies from the start?Also I've noticed that with the male dancers, the bigger the role the bigger the codpiece. Are male ballet dancers awarded a larger codpiece as they progress from one stage of their careers to another?

I have several recordings of this ballet, from different companies. All have their plus points, but this latest offering by the Royal Ballet is my favourite. The quality of the recording is superb.

a present for my daughter. A wonderful reminder as she was so entranced by seeing this particular production live - Osipova is superb, and the Royal Ballet are the best in the world - a marvellous production