Ever since it was first popularized by Euripides on the Athenian stage 25 centuries ago, the Greek myth about the titular sorceress who took unimaginable vengeance against her unfaithful husband Jason (whom she'd helped to secure the Golden Fleece) has been the subject of numerous plays, operas, films, and books. This version takes the form of a ballet, choreographed by Georgiy Aleksidze for the state theatre in Tbilisi, and set to a score by Georgian Revaz Gabichvadze, who served as artistic director of the All-Union House of Composers in Moscow for five years during the 1980s but is little known in the West. Gabichvadze's scores have been described as reflecting the influence of both Bartok and Berg, as well as native Georgian themes, but musically this piece—which is strongly rhythmic and occasionally dissonant but melodically pallid—comes off more like watered-down Stravinsky or Shostakovich, while the choreography puts the dancers through motions that are athletic without being terribly expressive or imaginative. Overall, the company does a decent job with the material, with competent playing from the orchestra and respectable work from both soloists and the ensemble (although it was a mistake to have Medea's young sons danced by older girls), but the image and sound—circa 1979—are merely acceptable. While it's admittedly interesting to see an obscure Georgian ballet, this should still be considered an optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Medea
(1979) 66 min. DVD: $29.99. Kultur International Films. ISBN: 0-7697-8669-3. Volume 23, Issue 3
Medea
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