Gluck: Orpheus & Eurydice [DVD] [2008] [2009] [NTSC]

This ballet was created in 1975 but was then dropped from the repertoire until 1991 when it was revived. This revival was the result of close collaboration between Pina Bausch and the original dancers, Dominique Mercy and Malou Airaudo whereby the original ballet was painstakingly pieced together and reconstructed fragment by fragment. Early operas, such as this by Gluck, were frequently performed with extensive dance episodes and this is a similar idea but in reverse with the singing used to reinforce the dance.Essentially this very familiar story is very simply told and is all the more effective as a result. The story is re-enacted through dance and portrays the changing relationship between Orpheus and Eurydice as the nature of their love for each other is finally tested to destruction. This situation is constantly reinforced by two singers who sing Gluck's music which mirrors the story being illustrated by the dance at any one time. This is a close collaboration and achieves a very powerful synthesis. There are some off-stage choral sections as well and these are similarly linked to the dance action. The story in this version does not include Orpheus's final fate of having to wander the earth before being torn limb from limb by the Maenads but ends instead with the unresolved deaths of Orpheus and Eurydice.For me the tragic story in this format reaches a conclusion that can only be described as even more harrowing than usual. In a way, this could be described as a dance drama with singing. There is nothing here to offend purists from either dance or music camps and much to gain for both. The staging is minimalist but totally effective in so far as it does not detract from the very stark message of the narration. The corps de ballet reinforce the narrative with danced re-enactment of the described events as they unfold. The two lead roles of Orpheus and Eurydice, as performed by Yann Bridard and Maria Wesseling, fully convey the increasing levels of distress and despair of the two as they make their fated return journey to the land of the living only to fail at the last hurdle.The music is presented in both high quality 5.1 surround sound and stereo and the camera work provides clarity and detail without being invasive or destructive of the production. This is a powerful concept and is performed with both sympathy and skill and there seems little chance of a choice of performances being offered to future purchasers. However, bearing in mind the excellence of this production, it seems unlikely that it would be significantly improved upon. For those who are attracted to the program, this should give a great deal of satisfaction and it would therefore seem to reasonable to rate this as a clear 5 star issue.

excellent combination of opera and ballet for the connoisseur. The music and dance are both exceptional. A really worthwhile experience.

This is an unusual combination of dance and opera - while the dancer is dancing the singer stands close by, but the singers sing very well and the dancing, which I think is the best part, is done very well. It's quite simply presented but quite effective, but may not be to everyone's taste.

Tried this on both NTSC and PAL drive: the picture quality is mediocre which is a pity.Even though produced by the 'Opera National de Paris' the final encoding for this DVD looks bad, it looks as if a zoom into the original footage has been undertaken and 'lines' flicker through the dancers at every of their movements or that of the camera.Maybe the BluRay version is better? But this I do not know.

Pina Bausch's always Pina Bausch. Fabulous!Very Good interpretation and very good recording.I just loved the CD.

It wasn't what I asked for. I wanted the opera – this is some sort of esoteric pantomime. It wasn't made clear in your listing that you were selling this farce instead of the opera. It's very disappointing because it was a present to my mother for her 80th birthday, but at least I'm grateful for the opportunity to be able to say this, because Amazon is generally so inaccessible! - John Sanders

I bought this not expecting too much but it blew me away. I've never been too keen on Gluck's opera but this dance interpretation by Pina Bausch is so beautiful. The staging, the costumes, the singing; it's all stunning. It's become one of my favourite DVDs. Buy it. You wont be disappointed.