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Choreography Patrice Bart

Director Koen Kessels

Premiered by the Opera De Paris in 1870, and inspired by the fantastical writings of E.T.A. Hoffmann, Coppélia tells the story of a young man who becomes besotted with an exquisite automaton and is finally brought to his senses by his fiancée. In their production from the magnificent Palais Garnier, choreographer Patrice Bart in his final production and designer Ezio Toffolutti explore the story’s darker side while doing full justice to the exuberance and elegance of Delibes’ glorious score.

This production was screened in cinemas worldwide in March 2011

‘’The Paris Opera orchestra played sensuously for the conductor, Koen Kessels...costumes were extremely attractive, set theatrically striking. The dancers were models of self-presentation’’ New York Times

Extra features:

The mystery of Coppélia

Running time 124mins approx

Region Code All regions

Picture format 1080i High Definition / 16:9

Sound format 2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS

Menu languages EN

Subtitles EN/FR/DE/ES

Designer Mark Thompson

Light design Nigel Levings

Lakmé, Delibes greatest opera, is performed by Opera Australia in all its oriental glory. Starring the exquisite coloratura soprano Emma Matthews as the innocent girl priestess Lakmé, and superb tenor Aldo Di Toro as the love-struck Gerald, the story tackles religion and cross-cultural love against a backdrop of British rule in India in the mid-19th century.

French conductor Emmanuel Joel-Hornak brings out the full depth of the lush, dramatic score, with familiar high points being the beautiful renditions of the well-known Flower duet and Bell Song. Dominica Matthews adds her rich voice as Mallika and Stephen Bennett is darkly dominating as Brahmin priest Nilakantha, Lakmé’s father, while Roxane Hislop is a consumate Mistress Bentson.

Set and costume designs by Mark Thompson fill the stage with rich colour, atmosphere and exoticism, complemented by Nigel Levings’ warm lighting. This restudied production, originally conceived by Adam Cook, is skilfully directed by Roger Hodgman.

Note: This Blu-ray Disc (BD) is not compatible with standard DVD players

Choreographer: Frederick Ashton

Darcey Bussell and Roberto Bolle star in Frederick Ashton’s Sylvia, restored to the splendour of its elegant and opulent three-act form for the 75th anniversary celebrations of The Royal Ballet. Taken from Greek mythology, it tells the story of Sylvia, loved by Aminta, abducted by Orion and eventually rescued by Eros. Ashton was inspired by the music of Delibes to create such great choreographic sequences as the famous Act 3 pas de deux and the mischievous role of Eros, one of the delightful, darkly comic characterisations for which Ashton became known and loved. Sylvia is a wonderful showcase for virtuosity, invention and classical beauty, the epitome of Ashton style in stage settings of great detail and painterly perfection.

Bonus material:

Illustrated synopsis.

Cast gallery.

Introductions and conclusion to the ballet by Darcey Bussell.

Picture: 1080i High Definition / 16:9

Sound: 2.0 & 5.1 PCM

Video codec: AVC/MPEG-4

Disc size: 1 x BD50

Subtitles (extra features): FR/DE/ES/IT

Menu language: EN

Running time: 117 mins