![Petit: Notre Dame De Paris [Natalia Osipova, Roberto Bolie, Eris Nezha, Paul Connelly] [2014]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71AWpQ6abqL.jpg)
Esmeralda, Quasimodo, Frollo and Phoebus: four great characters around which a highly dramatic, passionate story revolves. The Corps de Ballet underscores the dynamics almost like an ancient choir. And in the background is the silent but incumbent presence of the cathedral, both witness and actress in this drama. Notre-Dame de Paris, inspired by Victor Hugo's novel, with music by Maurice Jarre, sets by René Allio and the renowned costumes of Yves Saint-Laurent, returns to La Scala after more than ten years since its last performances. Once again it will be celebrating Roland Petit and his artistic vein, his ability to evoke and synthesize in bringing the essential cores of the story to light. And the triumph of his vision of the performance as a total creation: dance, sets, costumes, music, theatricality. Press Reviews "Petit's Esmeralda is a cousin of his landmark Carmen, and there is no better enfant terrible to play her today than Natalia Osipova ... Her legs are at once ordinary and extraordinary for the ballet stage: not immediately striking but lightning-fast and explosive in their effects, not least the gravity-defying jumps she is famous for. As Esmeralda she uses them to the full, commanding the stage with mischievous ardour from her initial variation, and her vividly realistic despair in Act Two is a reminder of the larger-than-life acting she has honed over the years." (The Financial Times ★★★★) "Osipova is every bit the thespian as the ballerina; her terror as she heads to the gallows in Act II is palpable and her disgust at Frollo's lunging affections convincing. As for Bolle, it's got to be hard enough to dance most of a two-hour ballet with one shoulder hunched up to your ear, much less to elicit compassion for a character who is (in this telling) underdeveloped. Yet he manages to instill Quasimodo with a tragic air that is both fierce and tender." (arts.heraldtribune.com) "Luigi Bonino has reinvigorated this twentieth-century hit – a stylish interpretation of Victor Hugo's Gothic classic The Hunchback of Notre-Dame – with excellent casting ... Natalia Osipova is ... mesmeric as Esmeralda, supplementing her smooth, gliding turns with serpentine port de bras and deliciously coquettish eyes. A series of show-stopping chorus numbers complement the principal action, their jazzy timbre and kaleidoscopic formations a nod to choreographer Roland Petit's Hollywood years." (Auditorium) CastNatalia Osipova (Esmeralda)Roberto Bolle (Quasimodo)Eris Nezha (Phoebus)Mick Zeni (Frollo) Orchestra of La Scala; Paul ConnellyDesigner: René AllioChoreographer: Roland Petit Catalogue Number: OA1139DDate of Performance: 2013Running Time: 95 minutesSound: 24 bit LPCM / 5.1 DTS Master Audio HDAspect Ratio: 16:9 AnamorphicSubtitles: EN (extra feature only)Label: Opus Arte
H**N
Brilliant! Outstanding and Very Watchable.
This is a ballet in two acts based on the novel by Victor Hugo. In this production the attention holding choreography by Roland Petit is scintillatingly superb. Costume, set and lighting design are all spot on and carefully inter-related with the sets and accurately suggestive of venue without being in the least intrusive. The booklet that comes with the disc is very interesting and helpful.How do you dance the role of a hunchback? You dance it just as Roberto Bolle does in this production - with love, care and humanity. His is a truly great performance well matched by that of Natalia Osipovo as Esmeralda, Mick Zeni as Archdeacon Frollo and Eris Nezha as military commander Phoebus. The corps de ballet 'backup' is of the very best.There really isn't an awful lot more that needs to be said about this outstanding production. It's simply an excellent buy for all ballet enthusiasts and those who appreciate realistic, well acted drama. You don't get them much better than this production by the Ballet Company of Teatro alla Scala and it's very watchable over and over again.
M**S
Vibrant and superb choreography - a must see performance
Yes, it deserves the accolades undoubtedly, but for me the most successful part was the camera work. So often in ballet we see too many close ups of individuals and not enough wider shots of the corps de ballet, this missing some wonderful choreography. I felt this especially in the Richard Cocciante musical where " Les sans papiers" were not given enough chance to shine.In this ballet the vibrant colours of the dancers enhanced the whole production, and Roberto Bolle gave a sympathetic rendition of the hunchback, without overdoing the ugliness. This is a wonderful production, and I recommend it to all dance fans.
E**S
Pure Brilliance
The performances by all the cast is excellent Osipova and Bolle give touching performances especially when she is showing her gratitude to Quasimodo in Act Two. Mick Zeni makes a very convincing Frollo by displaying his obsession with Esmeraldo perfectly. The sets and costumes (Designed by Yves Saint-Laurent) are stunning as is dancing of the corps de ballet. I have no hesitation in recommending this Roland Petit ballet to ballet lovers.
G**E
Very enjoyable ballet
Very well danced and acted story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Quite sad at the end but the two principal dancers are brilliant and Roberto Bolle actually looks like a hunchback which is a tribute to his athleticism.The supporting cast are also brilliant. If you are a ballet fan don't miss this performance.
M**E
Teatro alla Scala. Notre - Dame de Paris.
Outstanding performance. Agree with all the five star reviews here. Peerless.
P**N
Very enjoyable
Very enjoyable modern ballet which avoids all the usual pitfalls. Well played , danced and staged
V**Y
Five Stars
Wonderfull dancing. Very enjoyable.
A**R
Five Stars
Good production. And Ms.Osipiva is very charming. Nice to watch this.
Trustpilot
5 days ago
1 month ago
