Search - Bizet/Shchedrin - Carmen / Cullberg Ballet (Mats Ek) on DVD

Stunning!!

C. Chan | Salisbury, MD, USA | 06/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mats Ek has done it again! I've watched this ballet about 10 times over and have never stopped loving it. Because of this ballet, I fell in love with the Shchedrin version of "Carmen". Marc Hwang (Jose) and Ana Laguna (Carmen) delivered exceptional performances, to say the least. I cannot think of any dancers who fit the roles as well as they did. The choreography was definitely one of its kind, and brings the viewer into a refreshing new world. I'm glad that I was able to see it on dvd where not a single gesture or facial twitch was missed. A DEFINITE MUST for all modern ballet lovers, and a great buy for anyone who is even mildly interested in dance. You need to see it to believe it."

A Psychodramatic Dance With Humor

M. F TERRIS | Miami, FL USA | 10/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mat Eks' Carmen ballet is a psychologically probing and at the same time highly amusing. It depicts the story from Jose's point of view, beginning with him facing the firing squad, then dissolving into his life with Carmen.



In this soldier's tale, his "lieutenant" is distinguished by his moustache. The mustached soldier leads his men with an officiousness and absurdity reminiscent of Monty Python's "crazy walks." This leader is but one rival for Carmen's attentions. Her prior lover, only hinted at in the opera, seems a serious and recurrent rival here. And then, of course, there is Escamillo. He is handsome, flashy, and sexual.



All of the dancers perform superbly, but Ana Laguna's Carmen requires special mention. She portrays a spectacular, powerful, and highly sexual Carmen; it is also a Carmen who is intentionally shown without beauty or grace. Carmen is too controlling, too independent as Jose recalls her to have even a hint of delicacy. She contrasts superbly with Jose's view of Micaela: dutiful, caring, tireless, and dull. But there is nothing dull about this ballet.

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Life changing...

C. Chan | 12/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...sounds pretty stupid, but seeing this performance on Bravo several years ago completely turned me inside out. It's fresh, virtuosic, and utterly spectacular. I had never seen anything like it and haven't seen anything remotely like it since--and I see a lot of dance, including Bourne. Have even thought about flying cross country to see them when they were touring. Btw, make no mistake, Cullberg's fresh take does not at all subvert the story of Carmen. It's the most close-to-the-bone retelling I've ever seen. I am beside myself that this is now on dvd."