Swan Lake

Anthony Dowell's production of Tchaikovsky's perennially popular ballet has been a staple at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for nearly 30 years, notable not only for replicating the 1895 original Petipa-Ivanov choreography (with only a couple of modern additions by Frederick Ashton and David Bintley) but also for Yolanda Sonnabend's opulent design, which recreates the aristocratic world of late-19th-century Russia in glittering Fabergé-inspired style. The visuals during the ballroom sequences can feel overdone, but there is no denying that this Swan Lake is breathtaking. In this 2015 revival, Boris Gruzin conducts the company orchestra in typically efficient manner, while Russian ballerina Natalia Osipova is outstanding in the dual role of Odette, the Swan Queen under the control of the evil Von Rothbart (Gary Avis), and black swan Odile, the doppelgänger whose seduction of Prince Siegfried (Matthew Golding) endangers his vow to Odette. The handsome Golding is dramatically stiff, but his dancing is impressive, especially in his duets with Osipova (who would inspire any partner), and the corps de ballet also does exceptional work. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and LPCM stereo, extras include an introduction with Osipova and Golding, an interview of Dowell by former prima ballerina Darcey Bussell, and a behind-the-scenes featurette. Recommended. (F. Swietek)