Spartacus - The Australian Ballet DVD

The Australian Ballet production is a Roman epic with many spectacular elements. - The Herald. A powerful and moving work, Spartacus shows episodes from an uprising of slaves in ancient Rome. The dramatic effects of this action are played out by those chiefly concerned: Spartacus, leader of the revolt; his wife Flavia; and Crassus, commander of the Roman army. 118 mins. (2008) DVD-Region 1.

The Sleeping Beauty - The Australian Ballet DVD

Beauty is a kiss of life…nothing short of a masterpiece…a visually and artistically memorable experience…this Sleeping Beauty could hardly be topped – The Sun. This ballet is the magical tale of the beautiful Princess Aurora, condemned to sleep for one hundred years under a spell from the wicked Fairy Carabosse. She is awakened by a kiss from Prince Florimund, and there follows a joyous wedding celebration. 133 mins. (2008) DVD-Region 1.

La Fille Mal Gardee - The Australian Ballet DVD

Comedy, pathos and lyricism unite in choreographic perfection to create one of the masterpieces in the 20th century ballet repertoire. - The Herald. Set in a peasant village in the French countryside, La Fille Mal Gardee is a delightful tale of the difficult path of young love. Widow Simone is determined to betroth her willful daughter Lise to the eccentric son of a rich farmer, but Lise and her love Colas conspire to thwart the widow's plans. 104 mins. (2008) DVD-Region 1.

Ballet For Boys With Richard Glasstone DVD

The perfect introduction to ballet for boys and young men. This program presents, in a clear and understandable style, the building blocks of movement which include: bending, extending, rising, jumping, turning and darting while teaching how to co-ordinate these movements rhythmically. Specially designed and presented by world-renowned ballet teacher Richard Gladstone, this program is demonstrated by young beginners, late starters, and a professional dancer. 30 mins. (2007)Â DVD-Region 1.

Baby Ballet DVD

A wonderful introduction for children to the world of ballet, especially designed for ages four through six. It contains all the aspects of a formal ballet class including a barre warm-up, stretches, center practice and across the floor combinations. All of the movements are explained step-by-step, followed by a performance of the steps by renowned dance teacher Rosemary Boross and her beginning pre-school students. 30 mins. (2004) DVD-All-Region.

Denishawn Dances On! DVD

Between 1919 and 1931, Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, and their company toured the entire United States, England, Cuba, and the Far East. Within that period, they created some 300 pieces, using their original technique based on classic ballet discipline molded to pliant bodies and bare feet, with emphasis on various ethnic cultures. With this new expression of movement, they became the creators of the choreography from which American Modern Dance evolved. Sadly, little of the rich body of work from that time could be visually preserved. Only over the last twenty years did Barton Munaw, a member of Denishawn in its last year, and Jane Sherman, the last living member of the original Denishawn company, succeed in creating this video-documentary - the largest re-creation of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn's dances in existence, featuring 23 powerful works of the Mother and Father of American Modern Dance. With the issue of this video, their mission to preserve these seminal works from oblivion has been accomplished. 100 mins. (2006) DVD-All-Region.

Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker DVD

Tchaikovsky's much-loved score and Olivier award winning designer Anthony Ward's stunning sets and costumes with sizzling choreography. Promising a fresh serving of the traditional Christmas fare, Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! is a delightful feast for all of the family. 88 mins. (2005) DVD-Region 1

The Catherine Wheel: Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation DVD

Starring: Sara Rudner, Jennifer Way, Tom Rawe. A rock-dance special by choreographer Twyla Tharp to original music by David Byrne of Talking Heads. With spectacular visual effects, animation and computer generated figures, this program is a phenomenal dance experience. 87 mins. (2005) DVD-Region 1.

Firestone Dances: Ballet Highlights DVD

For more than thirty years, The Voice of Firestone brought the world's greatest artists into the homes of music lovers. Now, through a special arrangement with the New England Conservatory in Boston, Kultur is proud to make these rare telecasts available. Among the treasures from the Firestone archives are Rudolf Nureyev's American television solo debut; the legendary team of Jacques D'Amboise and Melissa Hayden; the brilliant Maria Tallchief; Carla Fracci in a rare Pas de quatre set to the music of Pugni; as well as principal dancers of the Royal Danish Ballet and a performance by the Ballet Espanol Ximenes-Vargas. 49 mins. (2008) DVD-All-Region.

Balanchine DVD

Regarded as the Father of American ballet, and having created 425 works, George Balanchine is, arguably, the foremost choreographer of the 20th century. Originally produced for the PBS series, DANCE IN AMERICA, Balanchine celebrates his artistry and pays tribute to the themes of his ballets. Through rare archival audio and video footage, interviews, film, and photographs, the program traces Balanchine's life from his youth at the Maryinsky Theater, through his work for Hollywood and Broadway, to his creation of the New York City Ballet. It also examines his thoughts on dancemaking, using interviews with the choreographer himself, and features selections from many of his ballets, including Chaconne, Agon, Symphony in C, Apollo, A Midsummer Night?s Dream, and Western Symphony, among others. 156 mins. (2004)Â DVD-All-Region.

Le Corsaire DVD

Magnificent scenic effects and dramatic choreography have ensured the popularity of Petipa's exotic ballet Le Corsaire, a story of pirates and shipwreck, set on the Ionian coast. This production features Altynai Asylmuratova and Faroukh Ruzimatov who give exuberant and extroverted performances. …the leading dancers were little short of sensational. 85 mins. (2005) DVD-Region 1.

ABT In San Francisco DVD

Mixed Bill: Airs, Jardin Aux Lilas, The Black Swan, Romeo and Juliet, Great Galloping Gottschalk. From the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco. 105 mins. (2005) DVD-Region 1.