Giselle
VAI DVD 4391, $34.95

On October 31, 1980, a unique event in the world of dance took place at the Grand Theatre of Havana. Alicia Alonso, the prima ballerina assoluta of the 20th century, and Vladimir Vasiliev, the most distinguished Russian male dancer of his era, performed together for the first time. This video documents that unforgettable Giselle, presenting the two great stars accompanied by a first-rate supporting cast and the famous corps de ballet of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

(Please note: part of the original video master for this performance was lost; the version presented here was compiled from sources of varying quality. Though the final results are less than ideal, the video technicians did succeed in preserving a memorable performance that would otherwise be lost to posterity.)

DVD Bonus: “Encounter” – Alonso and Vasiliev in rehearsal for Giselle introduced by Anton Dolin (15 minutes). 110 minutes (plus bonus = 15 minutes), Color, Stereo/Mono, All regions.

Details:

GISELLE
Ballet in Two Acts
Music by Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)
Choreography by Alicia Alonso, after the original by Jean Coralli and
Jules Perrot

Giselle: Alicia Alonso
Albrecht: Vladimir Vasiliev
Myrtha: Aurora Bosch
Hilarion: Alberto Méndez
Berthe: Elena Madan
Bathilde: Loipa Araújo
Prince: Raúl Barroso
Wilfred: Félix Rodríguez
Village Leader: Raúl Bustabad
Zulma and Moyna: Ofelia González and Amparo Brito
Friends: Lourdes Gómez, Haydée Delgado, Lourdes Novoa, Moraima
Martínez, Gloria Marín, Francisco Salgado, Fernando Jhones, Carlos
Medina and Andrés Williams

Wilis, peasants, court and soldiers: Corps de ballet of the Ballet
Nacional de Cuba

Orchestra of the Grand Theatre of Havana
José Ramón Urbay, conductor

Set and wardrobe design: Salvador Fernández

Live performance, October 31, 1980, Grand Theatre of Havana

Chapter Selection

Act I
1 Opening Credits and Scene 1
2 Giselle’s entrance
3 Pas de deux: Giselle, Albrecht
4 Entrance of the peasants
5 Giselle, Albrecht, Corps de ballet
6 Pas d’action: Giselle, Albrecht, Mother
7 Pas d’action: Hilarion devises his plot
8 Entrance of the Royals and Scène: Princess Bathilde and Giselle
9 Peasant pas de dix
10 Solo – Giselle
11 Corps de ballet; Pas d’action: Hilarion confronts Albrecht
12 Mad Scene and the death of Giselle

Act II
13 Pas d’action: at Giselle’s grave
14 Entrance of Myrtha
15 Pas d’action: Myrtha, Wilis
16 Entrance of Giselle and solo
17 Entrance of Albrecht
18 Pas de deux: Giselle, Albrecht
19 Hilarian, Wilis
20 Finale: Wilis, Albrecht, Giselle