On DVD: GISELLE with Zakharova & Bolle

Since Svetlana Zakharova made such a powerful impression on Wei (and me) when she danced Nikiya with ABT a few seasons ago, I was happy when TDK began releasing her performances from La Scala on DVD. SWAN LAKE was first - I wasn't crazy about the production (happy ending); I need to watch it again and write about it. The BAYADERE was very enjoyable.

Subconsciously we have put off watching the GISELLE. Wei's never been overly fond of this ballet, at least not of the first act. Too much narrative and not enough dancing. And I was thinking Zakharova would be too tall and grand for the title role. But we finally had a mutual free evening and so we popped GISELLE in the DVD player. It's a very attractive production, well-danced and acted, gorgeously played by the Scala musicians. And Zakharova and Bolle are very impressive. Being an Italian company, the acting in Act I - especially from the Hilarion and Berthe - is operatic. In a good way.

Zakharova (Vladimir Shirokov photo) will irk some people with her lavish extension, which she applies here in a couple of places. Technically she is a wonder to watch; her musicality of phrasing and the way movement flows thru her body held us entranced. There's no coyness in act I (which can either annoy or endear, depending on who's being coy); she is a young woman ready for love and Albrecht's betrayal destroys her. Her mad scene is passionate but she doesn't go over the top; her lovely red hair is a decided asset here.

In Act II Zakharova is not a demure damsel coming to the rescue of her errant knight; her strength as a dancer shines thru. She is noble and quietly confident in her steadfastness. She dances as if she were singing the music with her body, with a touch of grandeur. I found myself applauding her at a couple of points.  

Bolle is wildly handsome and romantic-looking. His dancing is polished though a times he seems just a tiny bit remote dramatically. Bolle is tender and protective of Zakharova but this isn't a GISELLE of  impetuous young love. In Act II Bolle doesn't show the excessive angst that we sometimes see as Albrecht passes thru his ordeal. He doesn't attempt the diagonals of flying beats but instead delivers about a thousand entrechats.

As Myrthe, Marta Romagna is stern and severe. Appearing to have stepped out of 19th century lithograph, Romagna dances with authority. I've never felt so aware of Myrthe's magical powers in any other performance: when Bolle collapses at the end of his solo the camera pans back taking in a perspective of the prone Albrecht with Myrthe - her arm outstretched - casting a spell on him from the opposite end of the stage. Brilliant!

The Wilis have never put me so much in mind of SERENADE as here where the log tulle skirts wafting in the bluish light make me think of the Balanchine masterpiece. As the second act progressed Wei and I felt increasingly enraptured by the ballet itself and I think this performance may have changed Wei's mind about GISELLE.

The end of the performance is extraordinary, for Giselle literally vanishes into the ground leaving her despairing lover with a single flower.

[Production photos Marco Brescia]

Comments

[tonya]

Yeah, I watched a bunch of Swan Lake's and I noticed all the Russian versions -- both Bolshoi and Kirov -- had the happy ending. I loved the ballet -- and the Russians seem to perform it the best -- but the happy endings really kind of ruined it for me.

[Philip]

Yes, there is something really cheesy about the happy ending!

[Susan]

I just watched this last night - I think Zakharova is a wonderful dancer with great technique & musicality, beautiful phrasing & perfect body for ballet - but her Giselle left me cold Actually, I've felt this way about her almost every time I've seen her dance live. The exceptions were Bayadere (loved her in this live & on the DVD with Bolle) and Don Q.

Basically, in the first act I never felt that she was a lowly village girl or even the littlest bit naive, I always saw a prima dancing a role which, for me, undercuts the drama completely. But then, I have memories of Fonteyn, Fracci, Makarova & Gelsey in this - all great dramatic ballerinas.

Philip, there is a DVD with Cojocaru & Kobberg that was just released - my favorite contemporary interpreters...

Bolle is gorgeous and is a beautiful, elegant dancer - can't wait to see him in SL with Part!

[Philip]

Susan, I said to Wei when we were watchcing the Zakharova/Bolle that people will either really like her in it or really NOT like her! We were so bowled over by her dancing...I guess we sort of mentally filled in the blank spots in her interpretation. I do agree she is a prima ballerina playing at being Giselle... but not in a bad way!

I was wondering what you thought of the Myrthe? I've seen many negative comments about her but I think she is pretty good.