Movie spotlight
Bolshoi Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty
In this resplendent and magical classic, the Bolshoi dancers - including David Hallberg in his Bolshoi debut - take us on a dream-like journey through this classic fairy tale complete with jewel fairies, a magical kingdom, a youthful princess and a handsome prince in this purest style of classical ballet. The Bolshoi’s sumptuous staging with its luxurious sets and costumes gives life to Perrault’s fairy tale unlike any other. This performance of Sleeping Beauty was filmed as a sort of celebration of the grand reopening of the Bolshoi Theater's Main Stage (it had been closed for several years for a refurbishment).
Insights
Plot Summary
The Bolshoi Ballet presents Marius Petipa's iconic choreography of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 'The Sleeping Beauty'. This classic fairy tale unfolds with Princess Aurora's cursed slumber and the heroic efforts of Prince Désiré to awaken her. The production features lavish sets, stunning costumes, and the exquisite artistry of the Bolshoi dancers, bringing to life the magical world of fairies, enchanted forests, and a royal court.
Critical Reception
This particular 2011 production of 'The Sleeping Beauty' by the Bolshoi Ballet, filmed for cinema distribution, was generally lauded for its magnificent spectacle and the stellar performances of its lead dancers. Critics and audiences alike praised the adherence to Petipa's traditional choreography, the grandeur of the production design, and the power of Tchaikovsky's score, as interpreted by the Bolshoi's orchestra. It was seen as a faithful and impressive rendition of a beloved ballet classic.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its visual splendor and faithfulness to classical ballet tradition.
Celebrated the technical prowess and artistic interpretation of the principal dancers.
Noted the enduring magic and grandeur of Tchaikovsky's score and Petipa's choreography.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this particular filmed production is not readily available. However, general audience appreciation for the Bolshoi Ballet and 'The Sleeping Beauty' as a classic performance is consistently high.
Awards & Accolades
None notable for this specific filmed production.
Fun Fact
Marius Petipa's original choreography for 'The Sleeping Beauty' was so demanding that when it premiered in 1890, many dancers struggled to perform it, leading to modifications over time, though the Bolshoi's production aimed for a high degree of authenticity to the original vision.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources