La Chauve Souris - Strauss

Starring: Alessandra Ferri, Massimo Murru Original UK Premiere: 2003 Dvd Release: 31st January, 2005 Number Of Discs: 1 Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen, Region 0 Encoding

Article Index: [Background Info] [DVD Review] [Articles/Resources] [Link To This Article] Looking To Buy? Buy This DVD Here

In German-speaking cultures, Strauß is a common surname & Strauss & Straus are less common ones. Each of these three is either the surname, or its common English spelling, of notable figures. Claude Levi-Strauss, French anthropologist. Eduard Strauß, composer, son of Johann I Ida Straus, died in the sinking of the Titanic, wife of Isadore. Johann Strauß I, composer, popularizer of the waltz. Johann Strauß II, composer, son of Johann I, known as the Waltz King. Johann Strauß III, composer, son of Eduard. Josef Strauß, composer, son of Johann I Joseph Strauss, chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge. Leo Strauss, political philosopher of Straussianism. Levi Strauss, American entrepeneur known for blue jeans. Oscar Straus, Austrian composer of operettas. Richard Strauss, composer, son of Franz.

This ballet based on Johann Strausss Die Fledermaus was created in 1979 by Roland Petit for his then-wife, Zizi Jeanmaire, who came out of retirement to dance the part of Bella . Creating the role of Ulrich was the extraordinarily talented character dancer Luigi Bonino. Here, in a restaging 24 years later, Bonino recreates the part & also co-directs the production. And, to tell the truth, he is the only thing here that makes the performance worthwhile. Both the leading lady -- Alessandra Ferri -- & her husband -- Massimo Murru -- are virtually ciphers, competent but uninteresting. There are many comic moments with much pantomime, some of it so frenetic that it is hard to watch, but one must add that the corpo di balletto of La Scala, who contribute some of those moments, are excellent. The orchestra, led in Douglas Gamleys arrangement of music from the opera by conductor Kevin Rhodes, are also fine. Sets by Jean-Michel Wilmotte are in bright cartoon colors, adding to the farcical approach to the ballet. Costumes by Luisa Spinatelli & lighting by Jean-Michel Désirée are mostly unobtrusive & effective.

Still, except for the moments when Bonino shines -- & he does, especially with his Chaplinesque movements -- the ballet is flat as yesterdays champagne. Scott Morrison

©2004-2008 DVDArk.co.uk