Album Releases For Christmas From The Australian Ballet – Sleeping Beauty on DVD/ The Nutcracker On CD
The Australian Ballet has released two albums of classics long associated with Christmas, just in time for the Season.
On DVD (ABC Classics 076 2973), is Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, created by David McAllister AM, the artistic director of The Australian Ballet. McAllister’s production and additional choreography are based on the original choreography by Marius Petipa.
It is a sumptuous new production of this timeless masterpiece with lavish sets and costumes by award-winning designer Gabriela Tylesova. The magical ballet spills over with fairies, princes, nymphs and storybook characters.
Dancing the role of Princess Aurora is Lana Jones with Kevin Jackson as Prince Désiré, Amber Scott as The Lilac Fairy and Lynette Wills as Carabosse.
The production was filmed live at the State Theatre, Arts Centre, Melbourne with Orchestra Victoria, Music Director and Chief Conductor Nicolette Fraillon and Concertmaster Roger Jonsson.
Sugar plums and snowflakes, dreams and spells swirl in the music and narration of Tchaikovsky’s other fantasy The Nutcracker. Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush is the narrator in this new release from The Australian Ballet and ABC Classics (ABC 481 4668) available on CD and in digital form. Favourite moments from Tchaikovsky’s music are interspersed with Geoffrey Rush’s dramatic story-telling.
