American Ballet Theatre Now

Buy This Item American Ballet Theatre Now by Kultur Video  Available from Amazon  $29.95  on 8-29-2008     This is a dazzling display of choreographic and dancing virtuosity, presenting nearly 20 soloists and an excellent precise corps in traditional and modern ballet highlights. The American Ballet Theatre is a thoroughly international company, "bringing together," as Natalia Makarova says in an introduction, "the best dancers and choreographers from all over the world." <p> That ambitious claim is fully justified by brilliant performances, ranging from <I>Sleeping Beauty</I> and <I>Swan Lake</I> to the world premiere of Nacho Duato's postmodern <I>Remanso</I> for three rather athletic male dancers, Anthony Tudor's exquisite <I>The Leaves Are Fading</I>, the sentimental <I>Cruel World</I> of James Kudelka, and the dreamlike Balcony Scene from Sir Kenneth MacMillan's (and Prokofiev's) <I>Romeo and Juliet</I>. Most of the numbers are pas de deux; women are spotlighted (notably Susan Jaffe, Amanda McKerrow, and Julie Kent), but men get in some impressive steps besides doing the heavy lifting. <I>--Joe McLellan</I> Reader Reviews The American Ballet Theatre came to Taiwan in the year 2000. Unfortunately, I missed it, I was in Bangkok, Thailand; I was planning to move back there for good because all my relatives are there, but didn't make it because I couldn't afford the medical bills there. However, I bought the DVD produced by a Taiwanese company to celebrate the occasion of ABT's present in Taipei, Taiwan with a different title as noted above. I have just read most of the reviews by AMAZON customers; everybody seems to have different favorite program of the show. I am of no exception, my most favorite item is 'Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1'. I have every reason to like this piece more than the others. The Bruch concerto is one of the most beautiful violin concertos. The choreography complements the music perfectly with lively quick and yet elegant steps and movements. Ethan Stiefel and Ashley Tuttle may have very short solo dance and yet you simply look how graceful and nimble Ethan moves his legs, and you just can't but admire his skill as a dancer. Have you seen him in 'Le corsaire' as the swashbuckling pirate captain's dance steps and then to this palace aristocratic leg movements, and he has complete command of both, don't you admire him for it? Next, Ashley Tuttle whirls herself in nonstop pirouette in betweens jumps up and kicks one leg up behind her back so nimbly and swiftly as if she is weightless. I don't know about you, but for me it's just wonderful to watch both of them. They even have Angel Correla and paloma herrera to support them. And ,of course, Julie Kent and Robert Hill the second lead couple. Both of them from the ultra modern 'Cruel World' to this graceful classical number, the transformation is complete and accomplished; from the awkward modern steps to the graceful classic. I can detect the contented expression on Robert Hill's face and the accomplished classical movements of Julie Kent. I just love this program, I can't have enough of it, the more I watch it the more I like it. I said something about Ethan Stiefel in the ABT/Kirov Swan Lake review of his being looking very much like a prince. Here, before the program each star dancer has a chance to express his or her idea about dancing and the ABT. Just look at Ethan's close up, doesn't he look like a character ,a handsome prince for that matter, from a fairy tale, especially those beautiful, trustworthy blue eyes and that proper short haircut, it's the undeniable testimony of my opinion of his being perfect for the role of the prince in the new 'Sleeping Beauty' DVD. He was in his mid twenties in that DVD, He is now 35, and he is not going to get any younger. Please, give him a chance.

American Ballet Theatre Now Available from Amazon Price: $29.95 Updated on 8-29-2008.

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