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Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream [HD DVD] [1999] | ![Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream [HD DVD] [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BVyAXAj2L._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Ross Macgibbon
Actors: Patricia Barker (iii), Paul Gibson (vi), Seth Belliston, Julie Tobiason, Ross Yearsley
Studio: Opus Arte Media Productions
Category: DVD
List Price: £29.99
Buy Used: £15.17
You Save: £14.82 (49%)
New (16) Used (4) from £15.17
Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 37056
Format: Ac-3, Classical, Colour, Dolby, Pal
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown)
Rating: Exempt
Media: HD DVD
Region: 0
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 94 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 5003
UPC: 809478050032
EAN: 0809478050032
ASIN: B000W2FIJ4
Theatrical Release Date: 1996
Release Date: October 15, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships from U.S.A., to anywhere in the United Kingdom! Orders only take 7-10 days! We specialise in service to the U.K. and only ship airmail.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
This performance of George Balanchine's ballet A Midsummer Night's Dream was filmed live at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London, in February 1999 and won the award for "Best Television Realisation of a Stage Production" at IMZ Dance Screen. The music is from Mendelssohn's youthful overture plus later theatre music, and five other pieces by the composer all selected by the great Russian choreographer Balanchine in 1962. In a fine ensemble cast, Paul Gibson as Oberon and Patricia Barker as Titania are suitably aloof, at least until the latter dances with the ass Bottom (Timothy Lynch) in a highlight of touching comedy. After all the quarrelsome entanglements of the first act, the finale ensures celebration and richly deserved happy endings all round. The simple sets have a picturesque charm, the costumes a fairytale glamour and the large cast, including many children, dance with flair and enthusiasm; this is clearly one production where everyone was having a fine time. In fact it is rather more enjoyable than Hollywood's A Midsummer Night's Dream of the same year. Ballet aficionados may also want to explore the BBC's wonderful Coppélia (2000). On the DVD: There are no special features on the disc, but the 12-page booklet is entirely in English and is well presented, offering track and cast lists, a synopsis and notes on Balanchine, Mendelssohn and the creative talents and directors of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. The sound is atmospheric--Dolby Digital 5.0--and the anamorphically enhanced 16:9 image is good, though slightly soft, and does occasionally reveal some compression artefacting. In defiance of regional encoding regulations, not only is this DVD region free, but includes the normal PAL UK television system programme material on one side and on the reverse includes the same content in NTSC format, suitable for American playback. Anyone curious to see if one format is better will find that the UK PAL transfer contains just a little more picture detail. --Gary S Dalkin
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| Customer Reviews:
 I was in the audience! December 22, 2007
E. Coolican (london)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Even though I saw this as it was being filmed, I can't really remember it
that well- I enjoyed it, but it didn't knock my socks off
 Great stuff July 19, 2007
E. Hood (Aberdeen, Grampian United Kingdom)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This ballet has the story in the first half. There is great dancing, great music, Great Camera work by Ross McGibbon Close ups at correct times and distance shots all done as it should be. The lovers is one of my favourite pieces in all of ballet where the lovers get all mixed up aided by Pucks errors. Lisa Apple is perfect for the part and lets her emotions all out in her dance in that section. Great stuff.
The BBC even got an award for it. Children form the ballet school join in too.
Tatania has a pa deux de with a donkey to Mendelssohns beautiful music. Finally in thes secnd half you have treble wedding celebrations!
The second half is pure dance with famouse wedding music.
It has just about everything.
An enjoyable version by Balanchine November 6, 2006
KazM (Surrey, England)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This recording was made at a live performance in 1999 in London when The Pacific Northwest Ballet (of Seattle, USA) was on tour. It is an enjoyable version choreographed by George Balanchine. Whereas Frederick Ashton's version ("The Dream") has only one act, this version has two acts. Since Mendelssohn's incidental music is not long enough for a full-length ballet, other music by the same composer is used. Not only additions were made, but also the original music has been arranged, which may not be to everyone's taste.
The entire action of the story takes place in the first act. The dancing and acting by all the soloists are good. The role of Tatiana is danced by Patricia Barker sensitively. The humourous Puck's role is acted well. The four lovers show tenderness and humour. The children who act as fairies are charming. The second act has no narrative and is pure classical dance. It celebrates the three weddings: of Theseus to Hippolyta, of Hermia to Lysander, and of Helena to Demetrius.
If you are a purist and want to see a version which uses only the original incidental music, then "The Dream" by Ashton (danced by The American Ballet Theatre, and on the DVD issued by Arthaus Musik) will be for you. However, if you don't mind about the purity of music used, and if you like Balanchine's classical choreography, then this version under review will be very enjoyable. The picture quality is very good, and the digital sound clear.
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