THE WORLD'S FINEST OPERA
BALLET, THEATRE AND MUSIC
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
Lauren Cuthbertson (The Sugar Plum Fairy); Federico Bonelli (The Prince); Francesca Hayward (Clara); Alexander Campbell (Hans-Peter/The Nutcracker); Gary Avis (Herr Drosselmeyer)
The Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker is the quintessential Christmas ballet. When her nutcracker toy comes to life, young Clara is transported by the magician Drosselmeyer to a magical world of excitement and delight. Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli dance the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince; Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell take the roles of Clara and the Nutcracker; and Gary Avis is the mysterious, kindly Drosselmeyer. This performance
celebrated Peter Wright’s 90th birthday and a production that has been in The Royal Ballet’s repertory for more than thirty years. With sumptuous period designs, spellbinding stage effects and of course Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Nutcracker continues to enchant audiences of all ages. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound.
DVD
Genre: Ballet
Release Date: 01/10/2017
Sound Formats: LPCM & DTS 5.1
Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OA1252D
BLU-RAY
Genre: Ballet
Release Date: 01/10/2017
Sound Formats: LPCM stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio
Ratio: 16:9
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OABD7229D
Conductor(s):
Boris Gruzin
Boris Gruzin
Orchestra(s):
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Artist(s):
Lauren Cuthbertson; Federico Bonelli; Francesca Hayward; Alexander Campbell; Gary Avis; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin
Lauren Cuthbertson; Federico Bonelli; Francesca Hayward; Alexander Campbell; Gary Avis; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin
"fresh and reinvigorated - Nutcrackers come and Nutcrackers go but the Royal Ballet's version is a hardy perennial. Peter Wright's version of Lev Ivanov's original 1892 ballet has undergone changes since its debut in 1984 but it remains the one by which all others must be judged.
Francesca Hayward dances like a dream child as Clara, expressive, musical and guileless and is ably partnered by Alexander Campbell as Hans-Peter." (The Stage ★★★★★)
"The Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, always handsomely traditional, has become a tradition of its own. This revival comes up as bright as the gilding on the Christmas angel’s wings, from the charm of the party scene to the wide-eyed wonder of Francesca Hayward’s young heroine. This year’s performances celebrate the 90th birthday of its producer, Peter Wright. He’s tweaked this version several times since creating it in 1984, moving away from a recreation of the 1892 staging and adding more magic tricks and tweaks to the story. It unfolds with gracious warmth and sparkly detail. Hayward’s Clara is gorgeously spontaneous, always in the moment as she responds to the small dramas of the family Christmas and to the magic journey that whisks her away to the Kingdom of Sweets. Her dancing has a windblown lightness, with flowing line and nuanced musical phrasing. She’s matched by Alexander Campbell as the Nutcracker. Their duet has a delightful sense of discovery. It’s as if the soaring jumps were powered by their excitement at the new world they find themselves in. As the Sugar Plum Fairy, Lauren Cuthbertson shows a new polish, with elegant long limbs and neat feet. As her prince, Federico Bonelli is an attentive partner, and dances his solo with dash." (The Independent ★★★★)
"Opulently designed by Julia Trevelyan Oman, the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker is a case in point. Unlike most versions, this has a satisfying narrative, building to a final scene of reconciliation that’s surprisingly moving. What’s more, where most Nutcrackers, during Act II’s globetrotting divertissements, tediously reduce the heroine Clara and her beau to passive spectators, Wright gets them very much involved: far more satisfying.
This is all the more so when you have a Clara and a Hans-Peter/Nutcracker of the calibre of Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell. Both recently promoted to principal, they make an enchanting couple, both exceptionally light on their feet and attentive to the score, their characters very much wrapped up in each other. As for Herr Drosselmeyer, the enigmatic magician who drives the entire plot, no one can swish a turquoise cape quite like Gary Avis: this masterful dancer-actor lends pompous exactitude, wittily theatrical flamboyance and cast-iron authority to this vital part. Meanwhile, in the other two A-list roles, Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli are arguably more refined than regal as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince, but their refusal to fudge a single step is impressive. " (The Daily Telegraph ★★★★)
Francesca Hayward dances like a dream child as Clara, expressive, musical and guileless and is ably partnered by Alexander Campbell as Hans-Peter." (The Stage ★★★★★)
"The Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, always handsomely traditional, has become a tradition of its own. This revival comes up as bright as the gilding on the Christmas angel’s wings, from the charm of the party scene to the wide-eyed wonder of Francesca Hayward’s young heroine. This year’s performances celebrate the 90th birthday of its producer, Peter Wright. He’s tweaked this version several times since creating it in 1984, moving away from a recreation of the 1892 staging and adding more magic tricks and tweaks to the story. It unfolds with gracious warmth and sparkly detail. Hayward’s Clara is gorgeously spontaneous, always in the moment as she responds to the small dramas of the family Christmas and to the magic journey that whisks her away to the Kingdom of Sweets. Her dancing has a windblown lightness, with flowing line and nuanced musical phrasing. She’s matched by Alexander Campbell as the Nutcracker. Their duet has a delightful sense of discovery. It’s as if the soaring jumps were powered by their excitement at the new world they find themselves in. As the Sugar Plum Fairy, Lauren Cuthbertson shows a new polish, with elegant long limbs and neat feet. As her prince, Federico Bonelli is an attentive partner, and dances his solo with dash." (The Independent ★★★★)
"Opulently designed by Julia Trevelyan Oman, the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker is a case in point. Unlike most versions, this has a satisfying narrative, building to a final scene of reconciliation that’s surprisingly moving. What’s more, where most Nutcrackers, during Act II’s globetrotting divertissements, tediously reduce the heroine Clara and her beau to passive spectators, Wright gets them very much involved: far more satisfying.
This is all the more so when you have a Clara and a Hans-Peter/Nutcracker of the calibre of Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell. Both recently promoted to principal, they make an enchanting couple, both exceptionally light on their feet and attentive to the score, their characters very much wrapped up in each other. As for Herr Drosselmeyer, the enigmatic magician who drives the entire plot, no one can swish a turquoise cape quite like Gary Avis: this masterful dancer-actor lends pompous exactitude, wittily theatrical flamboyance and cast-iron authority to this vital part. Meanwhile, in the other two A-list roles, Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli are arguably more refined than regal as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince, but their refusal to fudge a single step is impressive. " (The Daily Telegraph ★★★★)
Lauren Cuthbertson (The Sugar Plum Fairy); Federico Bonelli (The Prince); Francesca Hayward (Clara); Alexander Campbell (Hans-Peter/The Nutcracker); Gary Avis (Herr Drosselmeyer)
The Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker is the quintessential Christmas ballet. When her nutcracker toy comes to life, young Clara is transported by the magician Drosselmeyer to a magical world of excitement and delight. Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli dance the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince; Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell take the roles of Clara and the Nutcracker; and Gary Avis is the mysterious, kindly Drosselmeyer. This performance
celebrated Peter Wright’s 90th birthday and a production that has been in The Royal Ballet’s repertory for more than thirty years. With sumptuous period designs, spellbinding stage effects and of course Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Nutcracker continues to enchant audiences of all ages. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true surround sound.
DVD
Genre: Ballet
Release Date: 01/10/2017
Sound Formats: LPCM & DTS 5.1
Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OA1252D
BLU-RAY
Genre: Ballet
Release Date: 01/10/2017
Sound Formats: LPCM stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio
Ratio: 16:9
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OABD7229D
Conductor(s):
Boris Gruzin
Boris Gruzin
Orchestra(s):
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Artist(s):
Lauren Cuthbertson; Federico Bonelli; Francesca Hayward; Alexander Campbell; Gary Avis; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin
Lauren Cuthbertson; Federico Bonelli; Francesca Hayward; Alexander Campbell; Gary Avis; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Boris Gruzin
"fresh and reinvigorated - Nutcrackers come and Nutcrackers go but the Royal Ballet's version is a hardy perennial. Peter Wright's version of Lev Ivanov's original 1892 ballet has undergone changes since its debut in 1984 but it remains the one by which all others must be judged.
Francesca Hayward dances like a dream child as Clara, expressive, musical and guileless and is ably partnered by Alexander Campbell as Hans-Peter." (The Stage ★★★★★)
"The Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, always handsomely traditional, has become a tradition of its own. This revival comes up as bright as the gilding on the Christmas angel’s wings, from the charm of the party scene to the wide-eyed wonder of Francesca Hayward’s young heroine. This year’s performances celebrate the 90th birthday of its producer, Peter Wright. He’s tweaked this version several times since creating it in 1984, moving away from a recreation of the 1892 staging and adding more magic tricks and tweaks to the story. It unfolds with gracious warmth and sparkly detail. Hayward’s Clara is gorgeously spontaneous, always in the moment as she responds to the small dramas of the family Christmas and to the magic journey that whisks her away to the Kingdom of Sweets. Her dancing has a windblown lightness, with flowing line and nuanced musical phrasing. She’s matched by Alexander Campbell as the Nutcracker. Their duet has a delightful sense of discovery. It’s as if the soaring jumps were powered by their excitement at the new world they find themselves in. As the Sugar Plum Fairy, Lauren Cuthbertson shows a new polish, with elegant long limbs and neat feet. As her prince, Federico Bonelli is an attentive partner, and dances his solo with dash." (The Independent ★★★★)
"Opulently designed by Julia Trevelyan Oman, the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker is a case in point. Unlike most versions, this has a satisfying narrative, building to a final scene of reconciliation that’s surprisingly moving. What’s more, where most Nutcrackers, during Act II’s globetrotting divertissements, tediously reduce the heroine Clara and her beau to passive spectators, Wright gets them very much involved: far more satisfying.
This is all the more so when you have a Clara and a Hans-Peter/Nutcracker of the calibre of Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell. Both recently promoted to principal, they make an enchanting couple, both exceptionally light on their feet and attentive to the score, their characters very much wrapped up in each other. As for Herr Drosselmeyer, the enigmatic magician who drives the entire plot, no one can swish a turquoise cape quite like Gary Avis: this masterful dancer-actor lends pompous exactitude, wittily theatrical flamboyance and cast-iron authority to this vital part. Meanwhile, in the other two A-list roles, Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli are arguably more refined than regal as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince, but their refusal to fudge a single step is impressive. " (The Daily Telegraph ★★★★)
Francesca Hayward dances like a dream child as Clara, expressive, musical and guileless and is ably partnered by Alexander Campbell as Hans-Peter." (The Stage ★★★★★)
"The Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, always handsomely traditional, has become a tradition of its own. This revival comes up as bright as the gilding on the Christmas angel’s wings, from the charm of the party scene to the wide-eyed wonder of Francesca Hayward’s young heroine. This year’s performances celebrate the 90th birthday of its producer, Peter Wright. He’s tweaked this version several times since creating it in 1984, moving away from a recreation of the 1892 staging and adding more magic tricks and tweaks to the story. It unfolds with gracious warmth and sparkly detail. Hayward’s Clara is gorgeously spontaneous, always in the moment as she responds to the small dramas of the family Christmas and to the magic journey that whisks her away to the Kingdom of Sweets. Her dancing has a windblown lightness, with flowing line and nuanced musical phrasing. She’s matched by Alexander Campbell as the Nutcracker. Their duet has a delightful sense of discovery. It’s as if the soaring jumps were powered by their excitement at the new world they find themselves in. As the Sugar Plum Fairy, Lauren Cuthbertson shows a new polish, with elegant long limbs and neat feet. As her prince, Federico Bonelli is an attentive partner, and dances his solo with dash." (The Independent ★★★★)
"Opulently designed by Julia Trevelyan Oman, the Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker is a case in point. Unlike most versions, this has a satisfying narrative, building to a final scene of reconciliation that’s surprisingly moving. What’s more, where most Nutcrackers, during Act II’s globetrotting divertissements, tediously reduce the heroine Clara and her beau to passive spectators, Wright gets them very much involved: far more satisfying.
This is all the more so when you have a Clara and a Hans-Peter/Nutcracker of the calibre of Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell. Both recently promoted to principal, they make an enchanting couple, both exceptionally light on their feet and attentive to the score, their characters very much wrapped up in each other. As for Herr Drosselmeyer, the enigmatic magician who drives the entire plot, no one can swish a turquoise cape quite like Gary Avis: this masterful dancer-actor lends pompous exactitude, wittily theatrical flamboyance and cast-iron authority to this vital part. Meanwhile, in the other two A-list roles, Lauren Cuthbertson and Federico Bonelli are arguably more refined than regal as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince, but their refusal to fudge a single step is impressive. " (The Daily Telegraph ★★★★)
