Don Quixote

Buy This Item Don Quixote by Kultur Video  Available from Amazon  $24.95  on 9-22-2008     Ananiashvili is superb in this ballet, and overall it is a wonderful performance, but it does have its flaws. First of all, I found Alexei Fadeyetchev to be a disappointment. Secondly, there are parts in this production that don't seem to quite fit: the weird pirate dance in Act 2, Scene 1 comes to mind, as does the second "flower girl" variation in Act 3, which uses the same music as Julie Kent's variation in ABT's Le Corsaire. Then there is Nina's own popularity, which is well deserved, but also means that there are many long curtain calls between acts and that can get tedious.Finally, the Amour variation in the Dryad scene is missing, and Nina wears a tutu that looks suspiciously similar to the one worn by Princess Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty.<p>In spite of all this, it is a first-rate production, with colorful and lively sets and costumes that really match the mood of the ballet. The corps work is excellent, as are most of the supporting soloists. Very good picture quality and audio. I wouldn't necessarily recomment Don Q for a ballet novice, but for ballet buffs this is a very good choice. Reader Reviews This is my favourite Don Quixote. It is lengthy, with much more of Don Quixote himself than any other version available at the moment. Fadayechev is not as charismatic as Baryshnikov in the same role, but overall the production is more satisfying. Nina Ananiashvili as Kitri is just terrific - the right ballerina in the right role.

Don Quixote Available from Amazon Price: $24.95 Updated on 9-22-2008.

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