Dancer Advice

Product Description
When Nureyev took up the position of Artistic Director of the ballet of
the Paris opera in 1983, his words to the dancers of the ensemble so
rich in tradition were, ‘Don’t talk, work’, and only two months later he
presented his magnificent new production of Marius Petipa’s oriental ballet Raymonda. This production was of great importance
both for Nureyev and for the ensemble, because it was his first choreography as newly-appointed director of the Paris ensemble.
It laid the foundation for his personal relationship as choreographer, teacher and director with the dancers. There could not have
been a better ballet than Raymonda to show to advantage the qualities of this ensemble, which is one of the foremost in the world
of ballet. It is not only the three leading parts which are shown to advantage in numerous pas-de-deux, in a dramatic sword duel
and in dream scenes, but there are also impressive solos for a dozen other dancers as well as many spectacular ensemble scenes,
among them the splendid Hungarian dances, an exciting Spanish dance, a wonderful polonaise and fascinating pas-de-quatre
and pas-de-six.
The documentary by Francois Roussillon examines the various aspects of this ballet, which has become a classic in the repertoire
of the ballet ensemble of the Paris opera through Rudolf Nureyev’s choreography. Nureyev’s innate talent for dancing and the
perfection of his rehearsal work made Raymonda one of the greatest masterworks of ballet history.

Dancer’s Dream, The Great Ballets of Rudolf Nureyev