CriticalDance Forum

Can anyone recommend a favorite Giselle video? <P>Any opinions on the Ballet Footnotes video series?<P><BR>

Michael, here is a link to the ballet.co video section. Of the three discussed, the ABT one with Fracci and Bruhn comes out best. <BR> <A HREF="http://www.ballet.co.uk/mar98/video_em_3.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.ballet.co.uk/mar98/video_em_3.htm</A> <P>There is an additional one on the Dance Books site by the Kirov, but remember that the UK has a different format to the US.<BR> <A HREF="http://www.dancebooks.co.uk/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.dancebooks.co.uk/</A> <P>The Amazon site has no less than 11 versions.<P><BR>

Thanks, Stuart. The ABT version sounds like the best of that bunch. Seeing the long Amazon list of Giselle videos was what prompted my question.<P>Of course, watching a video is not the same as watching the real thing. Is anyone of the opinion that ballet videos are not worth watching? Given that first impressions are lasting, does anyone believe that videos could negatively predispose someone toward a ballet or a company? <P>

i can see what might lead one to think so michael but the way i feel is that the experience of watching a film is so very different than that of attending a live performance that it doesn't negatively affect one in the end. i love watching ballet videos, but never in a million years would i recommend them over a live ballet performance. there's no comparison. they serve a real purpose, among others, however, if what you are watching is someone you have no chance of seeing otherwise, for instance, of people who have passed on, etc....

Yes, although videos are a one-dimensional shadow of a performance, we at least get to see that one dimension. As you say, there are some dancers we will never see any other way.<P>Pmeja, could you tell us of your favorite dance videos, especially of Giselle?<P>By the way, how do you pronounce "pmeja"? <P>

Well, there is the one with Alicia Alonso. I have that one to help give me a good point of reference.

hi! you don't pronounce 'pmeja' as it is my first initial and last name put together! <BR>videos are a big subject here but if i were to talk about my favorite 'giselle' video. hmmm......<BR>i guess it would be a tie between the fracci/bruhn and makarova/baryshnikov films, commercially available ones, anyway. if i were to choose my favorite performance that i had ever seen it would be kirkland and baryshnikov followed by makarova and godunov. ah i date myself ... not to mention the tantalizing fragments of films that i've seen that make me wish i could see the entire film, as far back as markova and dolin.<p>[This message has been edited by pmeja (edited 01-26-2000).]

pmeja, your post begs the question: How extensive is your video collection if I may ask? Just curious...