Giselle

Adolfe Adam's 1841 masterpiece, often considered the pinnacle of romantic ballet, has been exceptionally well represented on video (all five of the previously reviewed versions in VL-11/06, 3/09, 7/10, 9/12, and 3/15 were high quality productions). This 2016 Royal Opera House staging from London's Covent Garden presents Peter Wright's fine production, which follows the traditional Marius Petipa choreography with some modifications and features John Macfarlane's lovely sets and costumes. Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov assume the roles of the titular peasant girl and the duplicitous count who, by wooing her in disguise (while committed to another), ultimately causes her suicide. Both are superb in their solos and pas de deux, as are Bennet Gartside as Hilarion, the jealous huntsman who reveals Count Albrecht's imposture, and Itziar Mendizabal as Myrtha, the Queen of the Wills (spirits of the virgins who have died before their wedding night), who orders Giselle to avenge herself by forcing the count to dance until he dies of exhaustion—a mission she refuses to complete. The other soloists are expert as well, with the ballet corps of the Royal Opera House adding fine ensemble work, and the orchestra shining under the baton of Barry Wordsworth. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and LPCM stereo, extras include an introduction to the ballet, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)