John Neumeier La Dame aux Camélias

Paris Opéra Ballet [June 2006]

Opus Arte 2 DVDs OA 1008 D

John Neumeier's La Dame aux Camélias is a complicated dance drama, a neo-classical ballet whch rather requires knowledge of the mime repertoire. It is a complicated double story, linking with that of Manon Lescaut.

A wide selection of Chopin's familiar music is given, live at the Paris Opéra, by two pianists and the orchestra under Michael Schmidstdorff, and that may appeal more to casual listeners than to piano afficionados. The playing of the music is decent, not exceptional.

The presentation is good, with a extensive essay by film-maker Reiner E. Moritz and several fine colour photos in the booklet.

I enjoyed it but others here differed. Certainly it is well done and there is a great deal of expert dancing and inventive choreography to hold the attention.

Recommended, but purchasers may be well advised to watch the Synopsis "extra" first to sort out what the ballet depicts.

Peter Grahame Woolf