Adam - Giselle / Carla Fracci, Erik Bruhn, John Lanchbery, American Ballet Theatre

This studio performance of Giselle by the great team of Carla Fracci and Erik Bruhn, with members of the ABT and the Berlin Opera Orchestra was recorded in 1968, but it looks like it was done only yesterday! I do not know exactly how Deutsche Grammophon accomplished this feat, but the image(full screen) and sound(DTS 5.1) are absolutely at the highest standard, even by todays strict digital degree of perfection(this is shot on film with the crisp images that it imparts). The dancing itself is by some of the ballet greats of recent history and so, this qualifies also as a classic performance( I know of no other case where these two qualities come together in one recording!). Fracci and Bruhn are at their very best here, and we can see why they are so well regarded by history. Great artists are able to perform by the usual classical standards, but in an indescribable way that makes their performance unique. The choreography is also excellent and complete with the peasant pas de deux included as well as all the second act variations. The part of Hilarion, danced by Bruce Marks, is also given very extensive choreography in the second act and he dances it very well.

Im not a ballet fan by any means - this is the 2nd one Ive watched. So I speak for the naive.

I would have to agree with those that wrote that the Direction of this film is abysmal and detracts from the outstanding dance performances of Fracci and Bruhn. However, any time you have the opportunity to see Carla Fracci in Giselle, take it. I saw Fracci dance this many times on stage and no one can touch her as Giselle. Certainly, there were others like Makarova who were technically better dancers but no one can match Fracci when it comes to capturing the spirit of Giselle. True, there were some misplaced attempts on the part of the director to make this more realistic, a truly absurd notion when were talking about a woman who dies of madness and keeps her lover from being danced to death by vengeful spirits. If youve had the pleasure of seeing Fracci in person, this film may disappoint but she is non the less the quintessential Giselle.

The dance performance is good. Video production is VHS quality, muddy and dark. It is too bad they couldnt remaster and clean up the video quality. Disappointing on DVD. No chapter divisions or random access to scenes.

I saw this ballet danced by Brun in the 70s on T.V.. The performance by Brun was brillant. I ordered this DVD hoping I would still feel the same way after all these years. I was not disappointed and the DVD was of the highest quality and the dancing was as magical as I remembered it to be!

Had the priviledge of seeing Fracci dance Giselle, live, and left me in tears. I can understand the criticisms of the odd camera shots but the DVD is superb. The dancing is sublime. The quality of the picture is unbelievable given when it was done.

THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO RECORDED GISELLE I HAS SEEN SO FAR. EXCELLENT! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF YOU LOVE THE GISELLE BALLET LIKE I DO.

Excellent for any ballet lovers collection. This is a collectable item. Beautiful. Also excellent condition and handled in timely manner by seller. Thumbs UP!

Magnifique bien sur ! Merci

Carla Fracci was magnificent as Giselle and Bruhn a very good partner.