Don Quixote: Royal Ballet [2014]

If, like me, you attend the fabulous Cinema Live events (visit cinemalive.com for details) to watch world-class performances by the very best companies in the world, delivering stunning ballet LIVE by satellite link from their famous locations to cinemas all over the world - all for the price of a cinema ticket - and you wish to relive these exciting performances then this is for YOU dear reader.Carlos Acosta's version of 'Don Quixote' performed by The Royal Ballet and transmitted live to cinemas all around the world in October 2013 transcends EVERY version that went before it (yes even Nureyev) - with REAL Flamenco guitarists on the stage in Act 2.Experience a new awareness, and in doing so, encounter and enjoy a deeper and more fulfilling appreciation of this fabulous art form - an art form that opens our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts like no other!The tale starts with the ninety-year-old Don Quixote (Don Key Hoe Tea) on his `death bed'.Close to death Don Quixote is visited by the spirits of death and as they make their appearance and Don Quixote wards them off, Don Quixote makes the decision that he will NOT die a THANKLESS death `alone in bed' but will die GALLANTLY fighting one last quest on behalf of `Dulcinea' his `dream girl' - a `dream girl' that is ACTUALLY Don Quixote's GUARDIAN SPIRIT that makes her presence known to him through his many hallucinations - but Don Quixote does not KNOW this - and he merely sees her as his `dream girl' - oblivious to the fact that she is a GUIDING SPIRIT who has ALWAYS been there to take care of him and PROTECT him through his many gallant acts of bravery to `right wrongs and protect women' in a VERY hostile world - a hostile world where `life is cheap'.Don Quixote dons his rusty armour for one final quest and with his vorpal sword strapped to his body, his ever-faithful friend Sancho Panza by his side, and a bed-post for a lance, he sets off for his final acts of chivalry - where he ends up in a village - a village where he meets Kitri - a maiden in distress who is being compelled to marry a rich suitor by her father - but whom loves another - and so begins the extraordinary adventure - a fabulous adventure filled with greed, lust, honour, gallantry, companionship, camaraderie, love - and ever-present danger.At last the choreography FINALLY matches the story and the passionate music; Marianela Nunez is magnificent as Kitri; and the dancers are on FIRE!Acosta's sublime choreography transcends EVERY version that went before it - with REAL Flamenco guitarists on the stage in Act 2.The ballet-blanc sequence when Don Quixote has his 'out of body' experience, and the dryad spirits of all of the long-dead women that Don Quixote has helped in the past return to thank him for his chivalry, will make you cry.And if THAT is not enough - wait until you see act THREE! ALL of the principal dancers deliver sparkling performances that are almost on a par with the Prima Ballerina (Marianela Nunez) and her Leading Man (Carlos Acosta).THAT is something special to look forward to - but you are also in for a VERY rare treat. When a ballet dancer concludes their REHEARSAL they pay REVERENCE to their Coach; to the Ballet Master or Ballet Mistress; to the Choreographer; to the pianist who provides the music; and to their partner.`Reverence' is a very special veneration performed as a mark of respect to acknowledge how much esteem the dancer has for their mentors, because without THEIR help, guidance, and support, the dancer would not have the ability to do what they do.Carlos Acosta's version of Don Quixote had its World Premier LIVE in cinemas in FORTY ONE COUNTRIES all over the world. As act three concluded, the ENTIRE COMPANY paid REVERENCE to the orchestra AND the GLOBAL AUDIENCE.It has to be SEEN to be believed - and when you watch the closing moments - and you see the `reverence' performed - just before Don Quixote rides off into the `sunset' (depicting his final parting from this earth) - be MOVED - the entire company are performing it for YOU - each and every time you WATCH it!Top THAT dear reader!

Second hand dvd of ballet video. Very good condition.Very pleased with product.

Other than his semi-autobiographical piece "Tocororo" in 2004, this is Carlos Acosta's first venture into production. Not only has he produced this "Don Quixote" for the Royal Ballet, but he is also the principal dancer, alongside Marianela Nunez. As in "La Fille Mal Gardee", their exuberance is infectious and their enjoyment of performing together is obvious. More than any other version of "Don Quixote", Carlos Acosta has managed to put together a credible story to the adaptation of part of the book by Cervantes. The staging is colourful and exciting, the dancing full of energy, and the performers break with the tradition of silence on stage with some noise to show their 'joi de vivre' - probably to the annoyance of some classical purists!! As always, Carlos Acosta dances with precision and energy and both he and Marianela Nunez seem to defy gravity at times in their performance. Also commendable are Ryoichi Hirano and Laura Morera as matador Espada and his lover Mercedes. I also particularly enjoyed the innovative introduction of the four 'urchins', Luca Acri, Paul Kay, Kenta Kura & Michael Stojko, whose mischief and antics add much to this performance - and their dance skills are amazing! This is a 5 star production, one to add to your library and watch time after time.

I always read of Acosta's kindness and generosity and here he has paid homage to to at least four ballets. I loved his version of Don Quixote. Characters that are usually cardboard became people with personalities but remained humeorus. I have always loved Marienella Nunez.. She not only is a superb dancer but she has such character and that smile of hers would charm anyone. The part of Kitri was made for her. Acosta is my hero and I am only sorry that so few ballets in which he danced were recorded on DVD.I will not repeat the previous reviews as I agree with them. I tried accessing cinemalive.com only to find that it is only available in the UK. Perhaps one day they will extend it to other countries.

If you haven't seen Carlos Acosta's production of Don Quixote, you have a treat coming. This is pure fun! Carlos Acosta & Marianella Nuñez clearly had a ball dancing this, as did the rest of the caste, and everyone's zest and enthusiasm just adds to the pleasure of watching the superb dancing. We saw this live-streamed to a cinema near us (well, 30 miles away, but that's another pleasure of country living) and left with a spring in our steps and stars in our eyes. Sorry to the ballet-buffs for such a subjective review: clearly they'll want more of a critique, but I came late to this art-form and just enjoy it.

I had not previously seen this ballet and found it not as enjoyable as others I have watched. The dancing and presentation are of high quality I just could not connect with the story as told and this is the reason I did not enjoy it as much as others. I will watch it again just not as often as some others.

Excellent DVD. Lovely production of the ballet

A light hearted ballet where the plot does not matter that much but the dancing is first class. The choreographer ( Acosta) gives himself so much to do he must be totally exhausted at the end. Watching this is a wonderful way to spend the evening.

Firstly the Blu Ray arrived 10 days early so my surprice and both Amazon's and the Spanish Postal Services utter surprise.I am so pleased it did. My previous favourite Blu Ray Ballet was the London Ballet from Covent Garden of Romeo and Juliet with, yes Carlos Acosta.If you haven't added that Ballet to yoru repertoire I suggest you do without waiting. It is excellent.However back to Don Quixote. It starts out with a wonderful stage full of people, characters all, and enjoying the delights of nicking purses (bad boys) of beautiful happy girls dancing in the summer sun and accompanied by good looking lads trying every way to seduce the pretty girls, as lads in the warm sun do everywhere.Costumes are great and the music score was perfect for the entire show. The second act was a little slow for a while but understandable whilst Don Quixote chased windmills. The stage evvects throughout were really well thought through and great.Ther finale shows off Carlos Acosta's ability on stage as one of the world's finest ballet stars. He has a mastery of moves and dance routines one could only hope his successors can grasp. However you have also to note that Carlos doesn't have it all his own way. The leading Lady Marianella Nunez was outstanding and watching them on stage reminds you of another dance couple perfectionists Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Totally diferent dancing but they were perfectionists as are Acosta and Nunez and they looked as if they were having the time of their lives.This is well worth any amount of money. I really love this Ballet and can't give it higher praise..

et c'est pour cela que j'ai adoré.Bien coincé dans mon fauteuil j'ai eu droit à 2 heures d'un très bon spectacle, comme au cinéma mais sans paroles.J'avais et j'ai toujours comme référence une Natalia Osipova comme Kitri, mais la prestation de Nunez m' a vraiment impréssionné par son dynamisme et cette facon olé olé genre flamenco; elle est avec Sarafanov la seule à se jouer des diffucultés techniques avec sur son visage une expression qui vous fait penser qu'elle peut en faire encore beaucoup plus.Acosta tient bien son rôle déjanté ici même si je préfère personnellement les prestations plus classiques de Sarafanov; notamment celle où pour "seconds roles" on retouve Alina Somova ou la remarquable interprétation d'Evgenia Obraztsova dans le rôle de Cupid/Amour.Les rôles secondaires sont très bien tenus.Si vous cherchez une version parfaite et trés classique: Sarafanov/Osipova ou Sarafanov/NovikovaSi vous cherchez une version moins classique mais plus vivante/souriante: celle-ci.

Das ist für mich eine sehr schöne Produktion mit einer neuen Choreographie (nicht die von Rudolf Nurejew). Sehr schwungvoll und fröhlich. Auf das tänzerische Dreamteam brauche ich ja nicht gesonders eingehen.

Il dvd è arrivato intatto e non è sempre scontato con i dvd perché la custodia molto spesso si rompe. I tempi di consegna non sono stati rispettati ma non mi ha mai pesato molto.

I was lucky enough to see this production when it was shown in cinema's in the live feed from the Royal Ballet. i was not disappointed. Carlos Acosta may not be at the beginning of his career any more but that man sure can dance and in this staging his love of the story is evident. He also gives us a more in-depth look at Don Quixote than we normally get.Marianela Nunez is in her element. Laura Morera shines as the street dancer.I think Carlos chose a great way to bring his view of staging and choreography to a ballet that he has danced many times over the years and I hope the DVD includes some of the "specials" we were able to see in the live feed.